Leveraging Technology to Enhance Remote Therapeutic Monitoring and Improve Patient Care

Share this post:

Explore the benefits of leveraging technology to enhance therapeutic monitoring and improve patient care. Get tips on how to effectively implement technology in your healthcare practice.
doctor consultation for remote therapeutic monitoring
Table of Contents

With the ever-growing use of technology in our everyday lives, it is no surprise that health care is experiencing similar advances. One such advancement is the use of remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM).

In this article we’ll talk about RTM and how it can improve patient care.

What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring?

Remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) is a type of treatment that utilizes technology to monitor and manage a patient’s health remotely, typically outside of a traditional clinical setting. RTM can be particularly useful for physical therapists, who can use RTM to provide therapy remotely and communicate with the patient and caregiver to ensure therapy adherence and track progress. RTM is used for musculoskeletal system therapy as it allows for ongoing monitoring of the patient’s condition and for adjustments to the therapy plan as needed.

RTM may involve interactive communication with a qualified health care professional, such as a physical therapist, and may also include patient education on how to use the medical devices and manage their condition. RTM often also focuses on non-physiological data, such as patient adherence and reported pain levels.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced new codes that can be used by healthcare providers to submit claims for reimbursement for the time and resources spent on providing remote care to patients. Primary billers of RTM codes are typically healthcare providers, such as physical therapists, responsible for submitting claims for reimbursement for the time and resources spent on providing RTM treatment.

Types of Technology Used for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

RTM can be provided using a variety of medical devices, such as wearable sensors, mobile health apps, and telemedicine platforms. These devices may be regulated by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FDCA), and should be used in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the FDCA.

Wearable Devices

Wearable devices are small, portable devices that can be worn on the body, such as smart watches, fitness trackers, and wearable sensors. Wearable devices can continuously monitor a patient’s vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep patterns, and then transmit the data to a healthcare provider for analysis.

Mobile Health Apps

Many health apps are available for smartphones and other mobile devices that can help patients track their health indicators, manage their medications, and connect with healthcare providers. These apps can be beneficial for managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, and can help patients make lifestyle changes to improve their health.

Telemedicine Platforms

Telemedicine platforms allow patients to have virtual appointments with healthcare providers, either through video or phone calls. These platforms can be used for consultations, therapy sessions, or other types of care, and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

EHRs are digital versions of a patient’s medical record that can be accessed by healthcare providers from any location. By using EHRs, providers can view a patient’s medical history, treatment plan, and other relevant information, and update the record with new information as needed. This helps to ensure that all providers involved in a patient’s care have access to the most up-to-date information.

Examples of How Technology Can Enhance Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

There are many ways in which technology can enhance remote therapeutic monitoring and improve patient care, including:

  1. Continuous monitoring of vital signs and health indicators: Wearable devices and mobile health apps can allow for continuous monitoring of a patient’s vital signs and other health indicators, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. This monitoring can help healthcare providers identify potential issues or changes in a patient’s health more quickly and intervene as needed.
  2. Remote medication management and adherence tracking: Technology can be used to help patients manage their medications, including reminding them to take their medications on schedule and tracking their adherence to their treatment plan. This can help to improve medication adherence and prevent negative outcomes, such as hospitalizations.
  3. Virtual therapy sessions and appointments: Telemedicine platforms can be used to provide virtual therapy sessions and other appointments, allowing patients to receive care from the comfort of their own home. This care from home can be particularly beneficial for patients who live in rural or underserved areas, or who are unable to physically visit a healthcare provider due to mobility issues, or the COVID-19 pandemic, or even a rough flu season where exposure to people should be limited.
  4. Real-time communication with healthcare providers: Mobile health apps and telemedicine platforms can allow patients to communicate with their healthcare providers in real-time, including sharing updates on their health and receiving feedback or guidance. This can help to ensure that patients are receiving timely and appropriate care.

Challenges and Considerations in Implementing Technology for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

Ensuring Patient Privacy and Security of Data

It is important to ensure that patient data is protected and kept private when using technology for remote therapeutic monitoring. Privacy protection may involve implementing secure systems for storing and transmitting data, as well as training staff on proper data handling protocols.

Overcoming Barriers to Adoption

There may be barriers to adoption of technology for remote therapeutic monitoring, such as cost, lack of access to technology, or difficulty navigating new systems. It may be necessary to provide education and support to help patients and healthcare providers overcome these barriers and effectively use technology for remote care.

Integrating Technology into Existing Care Protocols and Processes

When implementing technology for remote therapeutic monitoring, it is important to consider how it will fit into existing care protocols and processes. Fitting in with these processes may involve adapting current protocols to incorporate technology, or developing new protocols specifically for remote care. It may also be necessary to consider how to integrate data from different technology systems in order to provide a complete picture of a patient’s health.

DrKumo’s Remote Patient Monitoring Technological Solution

As a provider of remote patient monitoring technological solutions, DrKumo can help healthcare providers implement technology for remote therapeutic monitoring. Implementation may involve providing wearable devices, mobile health apps, telemedicine platforms, or electronic health records to support remote care.

By leveraging the solutions provided by DrKumo, healthcare providers can continuously monitor a patient’s objective and subjective health indicators and manage medication adherence. This can help to improve patient outcomes and provide convenient, high-quality care to patients, regardless of their location.

Takeaways

Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment involves using technology to monitor and manage a patient’s health remotely, typically outside of a traditional clinical setting. This type of treatment often involves communication with the patient and caregiver to ensure that the patient’s care plan is being followed and to track progress. By using technology for remote therapeutic monitoring, healthcare providers can provide convenient and continuous care to patients, even when the patient is unable to physically visit a clinic or hospital.

While there are challenges and considerations to consider when implementing technology for remote therapeutic monitoring, the benefits are clear. By overcoming barriers to adoption and effectively integrating technology into existing care protocols and processes, healthcare providers can provide high-quality, convenient care to patients, regardless of their location.

Looking to the future, it is likely that the use of technology for remote therapeutic monitoring will continue to grow and evolve, leading to even greater improvements in patient care. As technology continues to advance, it will be important for healthcare providers to stay up to date on the latest developments and consider how they can be applied to improve patient care.

To learn more about Remote Therapeutic Monitoring, contact DrKumo today.

Share this post:

Revolutionize your healthcare with real-time

Remote Patient Monitoring

and elevate patient outcomes today.

Related Posts

independence day 2023
happy flag day 2023
On this Flag Day, we salute the spirit of our great nation! 🎉 As we embrace unity and freedom, let us honor the symbol that represents our shared values. Happy Flag Day! 🎆✨ #FlagDay #ProudAmerican #DrKumo #RemotePatientMonitoring
remembering d-day 2023
memorial day 2023

Memorial Day: A Day of Gratitude and Honor
Today, we pause to remember and express our heartfelt gratitude to our Veterans. Their service to our nation is beyond compare, and their loved ones’ sacrifices are immeasurable. We recall the words of Ronald Reagan, “Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden.” We take immense pride in having the privilege of serving you, and on this day, we salute you. Thank you, Veterans, and their families for your service and sacrifices.

Free Initial Consultation

Get a free 30-45 minutes consultation with one of our DrKumo RPM experts to learn everything you need to know about Remote Patient Monitoring and how you can make your RPM program successful.

To start please fill out the form and we will get in touch with you shortly.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.