The Validated Benefits of Remote Physiologic Monitoring
The term “physiologic monitoring” covers a wide range of devices and technologies. It generally refers to any method of measuring and recording changes in one or more vital signs of a patient. This can include everything from simple temperature and blood pressure readings to more sophisticated measurements of cardiac output or cerebral perfusion.
Traditionally, physiologic monitoring has been limited to the hospital setting, with patients being monitored by nursing staff at regular intervals. However, advances in technology have made it possible to adopt remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) using devices that transmit data wirelessly to a central location where it can be monitored by healthcare providers.
There are a number of potential benefits of remote physiologic monitoring, including improved patient outcomes, reduced length of stay, and decreased hospital readmission rates. In addition, remote monitoring can improve patient satisfaction and reduce healthcare costs.
Improved Patient Outcomes
One of the most important benefits of remote physiologic monitoring is the potential for improved patient outcomes. Numerous studies have shown that the use of remote physiologic monitoring can lead to better clinical outcomes for patients, including a reduction in mortality rates.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the use of a remote cardiac monitor was associated with a significant decrease in mortality rates among patients with heart failure. Other studies have shown similar results, with the use of remote physiologic monitoring leading to reductions in mortality rates for other conditions such as COPD and stroke.
Reduced Length of Stay
Another potential benefit of remote physiologic monitoring is a reduction in length of stay (LOS). Several studies have shown that the use of remote monitoring can lead to shorter LOS for patients, particularly for those with chronic conditions such as heart failure or COPD.
A study published in Telemedicine and e-Health found that the use of wireless vital sign monitors resulted in a significant decrease in LOS for patients with heart failure. Similarly, a study published in Chest showed that the use of wireless telemetry resulted in shorter LOS for patients with COPD. These findings suggest that remote physiologic monitoring can help to reduce LOS for patients with chronic conditions, which can help to free up hospital beds and reduce healthcare costs.
Decreased Hospital Readmission Rates
A decrease in hospital readmission rates is yet another potential benefit of remote physiologic monitoring. Studies have found that the clinical outcomes of patients who were remotely monitored have improved, which could lead to fewer hospital readmissions.
A study published in The American Journal of Medicine found that the use of home tele-monitoring was associated with a significant decrease in 30-day hospital readmission rates for heart failure patients.
Another study showed that home tele-monitoring resulted in a significant reduction in all-cause 30-day readmission rates for COPD patients.
Summary:
The benefits of remote physiologic monitoring continue to expand and are well-documented. This type of monitoring has been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce length of stay, decrease hospital readmission rates, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs. With so many potential benefits, it’s easy to see why more and more healthcare organizations are adopting this technology. If you’re looking for ways to improve patient care and reduce costs, then consider implementing remote physiologic monitoring into your care plans.
