Remote Patient Monitoring: Revolutionizing Healthcare Beyond Traditional Boundaries

What is remote patient monitoring?

Remote Patient Monitoring is a healthcare strategy that utilizes technology to collect patient data both inside and outside of traditional healthcare settings. This involves the use of various devices, such as wearable sensors, mobile apps, and other monitoring tools, to gather real-time health data from patients. This information is then consumed and viewed by healthcare professionals in differencing locations, allowing for continuous monitoring and timely intervention when necessary.

Many types of remote patient monitoring systems exist; you may already have a few in your home. These devices range on a wide array of features and bring in unique sets of data that can highlight an individual’s overall health and help monitor situations with early notification and clinical issues that physicians and nurses may want to keep a monitor closely.

Types of Remote Patient Monitoring Devices include.

Blood Pressure: Tracks a user’s blood pressure with either a pressured band that forms around the arm or a wearable device.
Glucometer: By pricking a small drop of blood, the glucometer can detect how much sugar is in the patient's blood, giving direct feedback to patients with poor blood sugar.
Pulse Oximeter: This noninvasive device tracks the body’s oxygen saturation levels without needing a needle or drawing blood.
Other Wearables: Items like smart watches help track overall data in real-time, seeing a user’s heart rate, step tracking, EKG, and more. These devices make it easy to track calories and workouts to ensure the patient is staying healthy throughout the day.
Thermometers: Help monitor a patient’s internal body temperature. The standard body temperature should be around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scale: Allow for tracking the weight of an individual.

The benefits of remote patient monitoring

Developing these systems to improve communication between doctors and patients has allowed for improved data and, therefore, better analysis of chronic issues. Remote patient monitoring allows doctors and patients to detect issues early on so that they can be dealt with immediately. Making it far easier for users not in urban or suburban areas that are near a hospital or clinic to track their own data from their homes. Simple tools along with the hospital’s unique equipment work together to ensure patients are recovering and gives a patient a more well-rounded look at their physical health.

Enhanced Patient Engagement: RPM empowers patients to participate in their healthcare journey actively. With access to real-time data about their health, individuals are more likely to make informed decisions and stick to treatment plans.
Early Detection and Prevention: Continuous monitoring enables healthcare providers to identify potential health issues at an early stage. This can lead to better health outcomes and a reduced chance of hospitalization.
Builds Health Equity: Healthcare providers and users can track their body’s health more effectively and from anywhere. Granting easier access to those in rural areas, who may be too far from any hospital, or those in low-income areas, and those who struggle to find an affordable healthcare option.
Improved Chronic Disease Management: Remote patient monitoring is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic conditions. Regular monitoring allows healthcare teams to manage chronic diseases more effectively, minimizing complications and improving the quality of life for these patients.

The downfalls of remote patient monitoring

The positive results that remote patient monitoring have yielded many extraordinary opportunities for those looking to better their health and patients who require closer examination. The downfalls do not negate these benefits but rather highlight areas of growth and how to manage these devices more effectively.

Data Security Concerns: Transmitting sensitive health data raises concerns about privacy and security. Ensuring robust data encryption and compliance with healthcare regulations is crucial to address these concerns.
Patient Compliance: While remote patient monitoring aims to engage patients in their care, there may be challenges in ensuring consistent compliance with monitoring protocols. Some patients may forget to use the devices regularly, leading to gaps in data collection. Other clients could also inaccurately use the machinery or tamper with the devices, leading to inaccurate data for healthcare professionals.

Why should you use a remote patient monitoring system?

Remote patient monitoring systems help both doctors and patients recognize problems and solutions in real-time. For those with chronic problems, having a device that is easily accessible can help early detection of future problems. Remote patient monitoring systems are also beneficial when it comes to watching the results of discharged patients, as they can shed light on how the treatment worked, reduce patient readmissions, and help identify any problems they may still have even after leaving the hospital.

Keeping a Close Watch on Discharged Patients: Remote patient monitoring is often employed to monitor patients after discharge, ensuring a smooth transition and reducing the risk of readmission.
Chronic Disease Management: Patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease benefit significantly from continuous monitoring to manage their health effectively.
Elderly Care: Remote monitoring is increasingly utilized in the care of the elderly, providing a proactive approach to managing age-related health issues and improving the overall quality of life for senior citizens.
Preventive Healthcare: Some healthcare providers use remote patient monitoring as part of preventive healthcare initiatives, focusing on early detection to address potential health risks before they escalate.

Conclusion: Remote patient monitoring represents a transformative approach to healthcare, leveraging technology to extend patient care beyond traditional settings. The wide array of monitoring devices empowers individuals to actively engage in their health journey. Their benefits, including enhanced patient engagement, early detection, and improved chronic disease management, underscore their potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery. These advantages, especially in post-discharge care, chronic disease management, elderly care, and preventive healthcare, make it valuable for improving the health of every patient. How the AWARE™ Platform Works

The Ambient Clinical Analytics AWARE™ platform combines data from patient bedside devices, wearables, your EHR, and other remote patient ,monitoring devices. It uses predictive analytics, indicative algorithms, data visualization, and audio-visual tools to help you detect and treat patient conditions with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.

All AWARE™ solutions are accessible from anywhere, including the bedside, nursing stations, clinical command centers, skilled nursing facilities, patient homes and other remote locations. Ambient Warning and Response Evaluation (AWARE) helps you maintain clear situational awareness and respond early and proactively to patient conditions no matter where they are. It provides life-saving information. Stay steps ahead with:

Real-time patient monitoring
Real-time and automated Smart Notifications™
Clinical analytics and data visualization
Clinical decision support and reports