Remote patient monitoring works via a combination of easy to use software and cellular enabled hardware devices that allows providers to capture vital information about a patient's health wherever they are located.
Let’s face it. Most patients are not set up to successfully manage their own care. This can lead to a multitude of issues that can extend recovery times and even make conditions worsen, requiring additional care.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine being able to observe, analyze, and report your patients' chronic conditions no matter where they are in the world. It’s possible, with remote patient monitoring (RPM).
RPM solutions make it possible for providers to monitor patients wherever there is internet in real-time. This makes the process of ongoing care more convenient for patients, but also greatly extends the reach of your practice because you can effectively care for patients in their homes.
How a remote patient monitoring solution works is relatively easy to understand.
Remote patient monitoring utilizes a combination of software, vitals monitoring devices, and internet connectivity to communicate data and other information about a patient who is located in a remote location.
This data is transmitted securely over the cloud to the provider via cellular or Bluetooth software. The provider (or care team member) will then analyze this data and give the patient health and wellness guidance or further directions based upon the results.
The entire remote monitoring process typically begins with the development of a care plan that is specific to the patient's current condition.
Once a provider has determined the course of care for their patient, they are able to configure the remote patient monitoring solution to support the type of diagnostics they wish to capture, alongside furnishing the patient with the proper device(s) to capture this data.
With the software configured and the devices in the possession of the patient, the provider can now work with the patient to capture the patient’s vitals through consistent or occasional monitoring.
Thanks to RPM solutions like Veta Health, you and your practice will be able to quickly configure your offerings to match the needs of your patient base. RPM solutions are not a one size fits all experience for practices!
A remote patient monitoring solution is comprised of three main components:
These three components provide practices with real time information that allows for better patient care while also making the patient experience more convenient and accessible. One of the top reasons Veta Health is the premier choice in remote patient monitoring is because we have created a full-service solution to make monitoring patients, transmitting data, and gaining reimbursement a simple and straightforward process.
How do you choose a remote patient monitoring solution that will fit your practice? Ultimately, this will depend on your current workflows, your goals for the RPM program, and, most importantly, your patient population. Because the remote patient monitoring industry is growing rapidly, practices have an increasing number of system options to choose from.
The vast majority of providers prefer to utilize a flexible remote patient monitoring solution from a company like Veta Health rather than build it from scratch. Let’s take a closer look at how you can go about finding the right remote patient monitoring solution.
When you are shopping for the right remote patient monitoring solution, ask yourself: what pain points are you looking to alleviate with RPM technology?
This information will help all stakeholders focus on a unified purpose and promote long-term stability within your organization. Start with some baseline metrics, then determine your desired endpoint to make data-driven decisions.
With the right approach, we can reduce episodic care and improve patient care by monitoring rising and high-risk patients. Here are some steps to get you started.
Determine Your Needs
If your patient population isn't tech-savvy, cellular RPM devices may be a better option due to their simplicity and ease of use. When it comes to ease of use and simplicity, cellular devices win as they don’t require the user to sync or pair the device with other devices which can result in a lot of frustration.
Finding Potential Solutions
Once you've determined the needs of your practice, it’s time to find the best remote patient monitoring solution for you. When it comes to finding solutions there are many places to look. Most providers tend to use a Google search to get started or ask for recommendations from colleagues at other practices and healthcare systems utilizing RPM. Regardless of how your find them, you should look to evaluate at least three different solutions.
Demo and Evaluate Potential Solutions
Health systems may take a few months to complete the initial deployment of a new RPM solution for this level of care. You'll be optimizing workflows and setting healthcare delivery standards to make patient care and hospital admissions easier and less frequent. Document which monitoring system works best for your patient population compared to which monitoring devices your patients prefer to ensure patient engagement. This is a crucial step in ensuring your success.
Don't forget to address human resources issues that may come up during implementation. Supplementing training for care team members who need it will also improve your chance for success. This is where Veta Health really shines. Our implementation team works as an extension of your staff to do the heavy lifting: we’ll map our solution to your existing workflows to get your practice functioning in less time than you can imagine.
Select the Best Fit
Don't forget to evaluate all of your RPM system operations. Does it allow you to integrate the devices you're currently using? Does it offer long-term support for your staff and your patients? Is it user-friendly? Ensuring that you have multiple support lines will go a long way in standardizing this new system and optimizing workflows.
With financial reimbursement available to support remote care, providers can use Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to quickly deploy and scale RPM programs. These codes provide a financial structure for providers to be reimbursed for the time spent and the equipment used for remote patient monitoring solutions.
This entire process is made easy with Veta Health and our full service model that makes implementing RPM a breeze. We believe that by using simple, intuitive technologies and by applying an evidence-based approach to track key health indicators, we can move the needle on health outcomes.
Every practice should start by identifying a need for improved, expanded care. For an RPM program to be successful, you should know why you're starting on and what you hope to accomplish. That can include addressing a current issue, such as high readmission rates, or seizing a new opportunity, such as adding new revenue streams.
By identifying the need for a RPM solution, your practice can more easily prioritize resources by focusing the program around that need. The needs you identify will narrow down the goals you set for remote patient monitoring. Some examples of goals or needs may include:
Additionally, you'll want to set goals like improving patient engagement, patient satisfaction rates, care plan compliance, or your patient-to-care team ratio. Join us in this journey of utilizing digital technologies to improve patient health outcomes and find out what Veta Health can do for you.