What Is Remote Patient Monitoring? Remote patient monitoring is a form of telemedicine where doctors and nurses monitor patients remotely via video chat. Patients can connect to their doctor through a secure website or app, which allows them to view medical data and communicate with their provider. Doctors and nurses can provide guidance and treatment without being physically present at the patient’s location.
Remote patient monitoring is becoming increasingly common due to its ability to save time and money. Instead of traveling long distances to visit a clinic, patients can now access their health records online. Additionally, there is no longer any need to wait days or weeks for test results.
Remote patient monitoring provides convenience and costs savings for patients, but it does require a certain level of technological expertise. Many older adults do not have the necessary equipment to participate in remote patient monitoring. However, as technology advances, remote patient monitoring becomes easier and more accessible.
At Zappy Health, we’ve witnessed firsthand the benefits of remote patient monitoring. We work closely with our partners to develop innovative technologies that enable us to deliver high-quality services to our clients. Our goal is to empower our clients to live healthier lives, wherever they may be!”
Benefits of Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring is becoming increasingly common among hospitals and clinics in California. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, telehealth initiatives can improve both medication adherence rates and clinical outcomes. These two factors are two major reasons healthcare providers are increasingly turning towards remote patient monitoring solutions.
Here are just a few of the many benefits of remote patient management:
1. It encourages patients to take control of their health –
Telehealth programs encourage patients to become more involved in their treatment plans. Patients are able to monitor their own vital signs remotely through a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and wearables. By providing patients with greater insight into their condition, they are encouraged to take charge of their health and manage their symptoms at home rather than relying solely on their doctor’s advice.
2. It increases access to care while decreasing in-person medical visits –
Remote patient monitoring allows patients to receive care without leaving their homes. As a result, they no longer require frequent trips to the doctor’s office. Instead, they can schedule appointments online or via phone calls. Furthermore, they can easily communicate with their doctors during scheduled visits.
3. It provides a path for streamlined care management –
Remote patient monitoring helps streamline the process of managing chronic diseases by allowing patients to track their progress throughout the day. Doctors can view data collected from patients’ wearable devices and adjust medications accordingly. Additionally, they can send alerts to patients if certain parameters fall outside of normal ranges.
4. It reduces emergency room visits, hospital stays, and re-admissions –
Emergency rooms are typically crowded places where patients must wait long to be seen. Telehealth programs reduce overcrowding by encouraging patients to seek care at non-emergency facilities. Because patients don’t need to visit the ER, they spend less time waiting and more time receiving proper care.
5. It reduces time spent in the hospital. –
Hospitals are expensive places to stay. Telehealth programs reduce the number of days patients spend in the hospital by encouraging them to remain at home instead of visiting the facility.
6. It provides flexibility and increased convenience –
Remote patient monitoring offers patients more freedom and convenience. Patients can schedule appointments online or by phone call, and they can even do so from work or school. Furthermore, they can keep track of their vitals anywhere, anytime, and any place.
7. It makes healthcare more efficient –
Healthcare professionals have limited resources that must be allocated across multiple patients. Telehealth programs allow them to focus on one patient at a time, which improves efficiency.
8. It lowers costs –
Telehealth programs allow healthcare providers to save money by reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits. They also help reduce the time spent treating patients who aren’t improving.
Not Just for Emergencies
Remote patient monitoring is not only used for emergencies. It’s also used for chronic disease management and prevention. Older adults can stay connected to a care team through remote patient monitoring, allowing them to feel independent and keep a sense of control.
Chronic diseases are commonly managed using remote patient monitoring. These include diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, asthma, COPD, depression, anxiety, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, obesity, kidney disease, and others. Remote patient monitoring helps prevent hospitalizations and emergency room visits and improves overall health outcomes.
Remote patient monitoring is most effective for seniors because it allows them to remain connected to a care team anytime, day or night. Remote patient monitoring allows them to feel independent and safe and secure.
How Remote Patient Monitoring Works
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) provides patients with real-time monitoring of their health data and allows them to connect directly with their healthcare team. This program is designed to help patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease, COPD, and others.
The program includes a remote nurse care manager who interacts with the patient via video chat. He or she monitors the patient’s vital signs daily, reviews lab reports, and communicates with the patient’s primary care physician. If there are changes in the patient’s status, the RPM care manager alerts the doctor immediately.
In addition to supporting the patient, RPM care managers educate about managing chronic diseases and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. They work closely with the patient’s primary care physician to ensure that the patient receives appropriate medication and medical treatments.
Examples of Remote Patient Monitoring Services:
There are several types of remote patient monitoring services available today. Some services focus solely on providing patients access to their doctors, while others provide additional benefits. Here are examples of some of the most common remote patient monitoring services:
- Telemedicine – A telemedicine service allows patients to connect with their doctor using video conferencing technology, such as Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and Zoom.
- Mobile Health App – A mobile app allows patients to view their vitals remotely and communicate directly with their doctor.
- Smartphone – A smartphone app connects patients with their doctor via video conferencing technology and allows them to view their vitals, communicate with their doctor, and request prescription refills.
- Wearable Device – A wearable device provides patients with continuous access to their vitals and alerts them when certain conditions occur.
- Home Healthcare Robot – A home healthcare robot helps patients manage their chronic conditions by performing tasks such as taking temperature readings, measuring pulse rate, and tracking exercise.
- Automated External Defibrillator – An automated external defibrillator automatically detects abnormal heart rhythms and delivers an electrical shock to restore normal rhythm.
- Blood Pressure Monitor – A blood pressure monitor measures blood pressure and sends data to a physician.
- Diabetes Management System – A diabetes management system tracks glucose levels and sends data to a doctor.
- Sleep Apnea Machine – A sleep apnea machine monitors breathing patterns during sleep and sends data to a caregiver.
- Weight Scale – A weight scale measures body mass index (BMI), which indicates whether a person is underweight, overweight, or obese.
- Exercise Tracker – An exercise tracker records steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled, and time spent exercising.
- Heart Rate Monitor – A heart rate monitor measures heart rate and sends data to a nurse or doctor.
About Zappy Health
Zappy Health is a mobile urgent care clinic that uses a remote patient monitoring system to improve access to quality healthcare. Their suite of technology solutions includes a patient portal that allows patients to schedule appointments, view test results, pay bills, communicate directly with providers, and more.
This solution was created to give patients the ability to receive high-quality healthcare at any location. Patients can now receive treatment without ever leaving their houses. Zappy Health is committed to providing affordable and convenient healthcare options to those who need immediate attention.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.