Health IT – What’s so great about Remote Patient Monitoring?

by | Nov 14, 2017 | Blog

[Author:

TERRY MAYTIN  |  VP, Market Development & Commercialization]
 
 
In the world of Healthcare IT, advanced innovations are compelling the care community to take action. Reduction in spend, decreased ED visits, and better outcomes are becoming a reality through the use of technology. In one heart failure study, for example, related readmissions were reduced by 26%.1 A recent cancer study found that patients participating in a tablet-based electronic questionnaire program had an extended survival rate of 5 months and increased QoL.2

So, what is the secret? What does it really take to be successful and attain these outcomes?

Regardless of functional scope, a good platform must:

  1. Integrate into existing office process;
  2. be intuitive and easy to use; and
  3. add significant clinical value.

Televisits and video calling help care providers expand their Healthcare IT footprint to get started in the space especially in states where reimbursement is available. Secure messaging is another great way to have asynchronous flexible communications between provider and patients. But ultimately a solution that includes comprehensive Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) will have the highest success rate in managing chronic conditions and supplementing in-office patient care.

Gather Patient-Generated Health Data Intelligently

RPM empowers patients giving them the tools they need to track medication adherence, health-related concerns including symptoms or side effects, and key vital signs. The software should provide the patient with an easy-to-use experience and be able to aggregate data and trends for the provider to interpret.

Why collect data?

All of this is only the beginning of the story. Where technology truly excels is in what happens next. Smart programming can take self-management to the next level by providing logic driven condition-specific and contextual guidance directing patients to resources or to their care provider where appropriate – avoiding unnecessary calls. And, with the ability to monitor patient-reported activity, providers can check in and receive automated alerts to help eliminate avoidable ED visits, improve outcomes, and even increase QoL.

A Look Ahead

As new legislation and value-based care continues to change how the industry interacts with patients, it is inevitable that health IT solutions will have an integral role in the transition. Technology will continue to progress becoming even more sophisticated incorporating things like wearable devices and digital assistants into healthcare. And, tying it all together, is Remote Patient Monitoring – helping clinicians manage chronic conditions more effectively.

 

Interested in learning how we have excelled in Remote Patient Monitoring lately? In October 2017 we were recognized by Healthcare Tech Outlook as one of the Top 10 Medical Practice Management Solution Providers in 2017. Read our PR or go to Healthcare Tech Outlook to read Medocity: Extending Care beyond the Walls of the Clinic.

 

References

  1. Agboola S, et al. “Heart Failure Remote Monitoring: Evidence From the Retrospective Evaluation of a Real-World Remote Monitoring Program” J Med Internet Res 2015;17(4):e101 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.4417
  1. Ethan Basch, MD, MSc et al. ( 2017;318(2):197-198. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7156) “Overall Survival Results of a Trial Assessing Patient-Reported Outcomes for Symptom Monitoring During Routine Cancer Treatment”

 

About Medocity

Medocity Inc., headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is a recognized leader in enterprise virtual care technology serving life sciences, payers and provider organizations seeking best-in-class digital solutions to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs between visits.  Bridging the gap between the clinic and the home, the Medocity Virtual Care Platform enables optimized engagement and continuous care for patients with chronic and complex conditions. Medocity’s award-winning technology combines condition management, remote monitoring, artificial intelligence, cognitive computing, and telehealth interventions in a single cloud-based ecosystem. Accessible in real time on any device or operating system, the Medocity platform integrates with EMRs, digital assistants, and hundreds of connected sensors delivering meaningful patient-centered care away from the hospital or clinic. Virtual care. Real outcomes.™

For more information, please visit www.medocity.com.