How to Choose the Best Options for Remote Patient Monitoring Devices – A Comprehensive Guide

Amol Shete
March 8, 2024
10:16 am
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In 2020, 23.4 million patients in the United States used Remote Patient Monitoring services!

The number is expected to surpass 30 million in 2024. The rising popularity of the RPM program has enabled small-scale clinics to enhance their care practices.

The entrepreneurial side of the RPM program has provided providers with the necessary tools to shape the future of the healthcare industry. However, since the success rate of the program highly depends on RPM devices, it has led many clinics to start the program without exploring the options that can be best for the practice.

Being a healthcare provider, the role remote patient monitoring devices play in the success of the program is not hidden from you. Still choosing the best devices where everyone claims to be the best in their own ways, we’ve curated a comprehensive guide that can help you in making the best choice.

Let’s see the checkboxes you need to tick while choosing the best RPM devices and their options for your practice.

Streamline Your Practice with the Perfect Remote Patient Monitoring Set-up

When you are selecting remote patient monitoring devices for your practice, it is important to align the remote monitoring devices with the workflow of your healthcare practice. It not only streamlines your practice but also provides a seamless infrastructure for its sustainability.

Here are some of the steps you can take to streamline your practice and select the right remote patient monitoring devices for your practice:

Identifying Your Practice’s RPM Goals

The very first step to streamlining your practice, which also comes in handy with the selection of remote patient monitoring devices, is to identify the needs of your healthcare practice. Most healthcare practices use RPM devices for better management of chronic conditions.

Furthermore, one of the major goals of starting the RPM program is to improve the medication adherence of the patients and enable early detection of depleting conditions. This factor heavily depends on the remote monitoring devices you choose.

Along with that, evaluate the devices and remote monitoring infrastructure to align with patient needs and demographics, such as technology friendliness and accessibility to remote healthcare services.

Decoding the Different Types of RPM Devices

Different types of remote patient monitoring devices have different functionalities. That is the reason different devices are used to monitor different health vital signs like blood pressure, weight scales, pulse oximeters, glucometers, etc.

An interesting remote monitoring device used in modern-day healthcare practices is medication adherence devices like pill dispensers. These devices have brought a transitional shift in the healthcare industry, and their automated reminder technology has helped significantly in increasing patient medication adherence.

Along with that, while choosing the remote patient monitoring devices, check for the patient engagement tools the vendor provides for data collection and patient-provider communication. Since this will be the point of contact for the patients, considering this factor in choosing the right RPM vendor can improve the entire care delivery process significantly.

Choosing the Right Connectivity: Cellular vs. Bluetooth

Now that you’ve sorted out remote monitoring devices, the thing you need to do is choose the right connectivity for your RPM devices. Usually, these devices come with either a Cellular or Bluetooth connection. Starting with cellular RPM devices, they are much easier to use and have a wider reach, with cellular networks available almost everywhere. With these lucrative benefits, its potential higher cost is the barrier that has still given Bluetooth connectivity an edge in the race.

Typically, Bluetooth devices rely on existing RPM workflow integration with EHR. This gives them an edge in connectivity and comes with comparatively lower costs. However, one of the major concerns in this comes with the security concerns that it comes with.

Both of these connectivity have their advantages and disadvantages. However, you, being a care provider, should consider patient location, technical comfort level, and budget while choosing the right remote patient monitoring devices.

Beyond Devices: Essential Considerations for a Successful RPM Program

Your RPM program is beyond the remote patient monitoring devices that you’re choosing; it’s for improving the patient population’s quality of life. That is why special importance should be given to RPM data security considerations along with HIPAA compliance and FDA-approved devices. These considerations are important not only for navigating through legalities but also for streamlining your healthcare practice.

Along with that, after the ecosystem is set up, provide effective training to your staff to make them compatible with using the RPM system effectively. Along with that, you should also prepare your staff for patient engagement, as CMS gives special importance to patient education and support for using the devices and understanding the result for self-management.

Implementation & Ongoing Management

Most healthcare providers keep wondering, ‘How to implement RPM in my practice?’ The answer to this completely depends on your staff, but here are a few things that you need to consider for the successful implementation of the RPM program.

Vendor Selection: When you are selecting the vendor, research whether they offer compatible devices and software with strong customer support. This is important for ongoing support and maintenance of the RPM program.

Data Security: Data security is one of the concerns that can construct the implementation process. For this, you need to ensure that the platform complies with HIPAA regulations for patient data privacy.

Reimbursement Considerations: Different states in the United States have different insurance coverage for RPM services. It is suggested to understand them better before moving ahead with the implementation of the RPM program

Conclusion

Choosing the best RPM devices for your RPM program in your healthcare practice can be confusing. However, if you know the right way around, the choices can become crystal clear for your healthcare practice.

Let this article be your guide to choosing the right RPM devices for your practice. Doing so will directly impact the efficiency of your healthcare practice, giving them more time to provide personalized care. This will positively impact the patient’s health outcomes, contributing to the success of your RPM program.

However, careful evaluation of your budget and studying your patient population is crucial for choosing the RPM devices for your practice. Make informed decisions before selecting the devices, and know your needs and requirements beforehand.

Frequently Asked Question’s

1. What are the benefits of using RPM devices?

Remote patient monitoring devices are used to monitor patients’ vital signs remotely to continuously monitor their health conditions. Some of its major benefits are:

Empowerment and education
Early detection and intervention
Reduced hospital readmissions
Remote monitoring and care coordination
Reduced healthcare costs
Improved patient satisfaction

2. What are the different types of remote patient monitoring devices available?

On the basis of connectivity, there are typically two types of remote patient monitoring devices available: Bluetooth RPM devices and Cellular RPM devices.

3. How can I ensure the security and privacy of patient data with RPM devices?

Here are some key steps to ensure patient data security with RPM devices:

Encrypt data: Use strong encryption for both storage and transmission (e.g., HTTPS, TLS).
Limit access: Implement multi-factor authentication and only grant access to authorized personnel.
Regularly update: Patch devices and software promptly to address security vulnerabilities.
Educate staff: Train staff on proper data handling practices and security procedures.
Monitor and audit: Track access and activity to detect suspicious behavior.

4. What factors should I consider when evaluating the accuracy and reliability of RPM devices?

Factors like device calibration, data encryption for security, and accuracy in vitals collections are some things you should consider when evaluating the accuracy and reliability of RPM devices.

5. How can I effectively train staff and educate patients on using RPM devices?

Providing your medical staff and patients with hands-on training with the RPM devices and system is one of the best practices for training and educating patients on RPM devices effectively.

6. How do I get reimbursed for RPM services?

Reimbursement for RPM hinges on meeting specific criteria. Focus on documentation, using correct codes, and ensuring at least 20 minutes of monthly service per patient, including monitoring, communication, and reporting. Verifying with the payer covers RPM and their specific requirements.

7. How can I get my patients comfortable using RPM devices?

Here are some key strategies to get your patients comfortable with RPM devices:

Explain benefits: Clearly outline how RPM empowers them (e.g., self-management, fewer clinic visits).
Provide training: Offer thorough device setup and usage training with hands-on practice.
Address concerns: Actively listen and address their worries about technology, data privacy, etc.
Offer ongoing support: Ensure easy access to technical help and answer questions promptly.
Celebrate success: Acknowledge and celebrate their progress and milestones in using the devices.