What are RPM Solutions?

According to an article on HealthIT.Gov, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is “the use of connected electronic tools to record personal health and medical data in one location for review by a provider in another location, usually at a different time.”  RPM solutions for hospitals help physicians monitor patients’ health after being released from the hospital with a high possibility of complications of chronic medical conditions.

How Does RPM Solution Save Patients’ Lives?

Once released from a hospital, most patients want to return to their “usual routines and habits” as soon as possible. This may hinder or even threaten their health if the patient had a previous unhealthy lifestyle or chronic condition. An article in the Patient Safety Network shows that “…20% of patients experience adverse events within three weeks of discharge, nearly three-quarters of which could have been prevented or ameliorated.

In addition, the same study shows nearly 20% of Medicare patients were re-hospitalized within 30 days of discharge. According to the same study, these patients had moderate harm (33%) to severe harm (6%) potential. How could this have been prevented?

Furthermore, a study in the National Library of Medicine reviews the key role RPM solutions play in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. In fact, “web-based monitoring for patients with cancer is associated with improved overall survival and patient-reported quality of life.”

Another study from the same source discovered “symptom monitoring protocols following cancer surgery reduced severe symptoms and improved patient health status. Similarly, remote patient surveillance after treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer resulted in improved patient outcomes.”

How Can an RPM Solution Save Hospitals Money?

You may or may not already know that hospital readmissions are costly and common. The previously mentioned National Library of Medicine study also identified factors that increase readmission risk, including patient age, gender, length of stay, complications during hospitalization, comorbidities, medical rather than surgical admissions, particular diagnoses, increased case complexity, low patient socioeconomic status, day of discharge, and prior hospital utilization. This research identifies patients with a high risk of readmission. However, these factors are primarily unlikely to change.

RPM Solutions for hospitals help reduce not only the patients’ medical costs associated with their hospital stay but also the hospital’s costs by an average of 77%. This study may be enough evidence to convince you to research RPM solutions for your hospital.

How Do you Select RPM Solutions for Hospitals?

You may be ready to select an RPM solution for your hospital but not sure where to begin your research. Why not begin with five key elements to consider from an RPM solutions partner?

Experience

Your partnership should be with a remote patient monitoring company with a rich history and success story. One that can respond to a hospital’s needs, increase patient satisfaction, and improve patient recovery.

Compatibility

The company should be able to integrate with existing technology easily. The RPM platform should be seamless with EMR systems and patient portals with an intuitive capability for your medical staff.

Competitive Pricing

Whether the RPM solution is rented, lease-to-own, or purchased, each has benefits.  Make sure to consider your hospital’s needs rather than committing to something you don’t need. Consider value more than an exact price comparison of one remote patient monitoring company​ to another.

Scalability

Your RPM partner should be able to adapt to the size and scope of your hospital system. They should be agile in adapting to your growth and provide support accordingly.

Training and Support

Be sure to choose an RPM solutions partner with a full training and support program and a dedicated team committed to seeing your program from pre-contract through to implementation. Anelto, the premiere remote patient monitoring partner, is happy to answer questions on the five key RPM solution elements for your hospital.  For more information about remote patient monitoring or to request a demo, contact us today.