According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, hospital readmission was reduced by 76% because of remote patient monitoring devices
But as a provider, apart from the RPM devices, what is the most important thing to start and sustain your RPM program?
Yes, you guessed it right, it’s the Remote Patient Monitoring software.
As the popularity of virtual care rises, the importance of RPM software will become even more evident. Though the software might not be as useful for general patients, for chronic patients and providers who have started the RPM program, it is on the verge of becoming a necessity.
RPM software not only covers the aspect of monitoring patient health but also improves the efficiency of the healthcare practice by a considerable margin. Since every healthcare practice offering RPM programs differs in its offerings, choosing the right software from the pool of RPM software solutions is as tricky as starting the RPM program.
So, ‘How do I choose the right RPM software?’ is the question that you need to ask yourself before making a decision. And if you have, then you have come to the right place to find your answer.
Let this article be your comprehensive guide to choosing the right RPM software.
Understanding Remote Patient Monitoring & Your Monitoring Needs
The main reason for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to start the RPM program was to bring flexibility in monitoring patients and reduce the overall healthcare cost for both patients and providers. The main factor here is monitoring the patient’s vitals, which will be reflected in the software, so understanding your monitoring needs is important in choosing the right software.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Key Considerations for Choosing RPM Software
1. Compatibility with Healthcare Devices
The main components of your remote patient monitoring program are the RPM devices and the software. So, it’s fairly logical for your RPM devices to be compatible with the RPM software. However, the tricky part here is the variety of RPM devices we use to enable seamless monitoring. From wearable devices to sensors and other monitoring tools, the data collected from the devices should be transmitted to the software in real time to enable real-time patient monitoring for care providers.
Furthermore, if you already have RPM devices, then the software should be compatible with those devices and it should be agile enough to integrate with them easily.
2. Data Security & Compliance
One of the key considerations while choosing remote patient monitoring software, or any software for that matter, is data security and its compliance with the regulatory bodies. Ensuring security and safeguarding the data is important because of the sensitive patient data the software deals with on a regular basis. One of the key software compliance for RPM here is HIPAA, which has set standard security protocols to protect patient data.
However, as we all know that the healthcare industry is prone to cyberattacks, there are certain factors that you should assess while choosing the software. These factors include data encryption protocols, authorized access controls, and compliance certification of the software.
3. User-friendly Interface & Accessibility
Once you’re satisfied with the compatibility and security offerings of the software, the next most important factor while choosing the RPM software is its user-friendliness. Two major components to assess in this are interface and accessibility controls. Interface defines the user navigation, and accessibility defines the usability of RPM software platforms.
Since both healthcare providers and patients are going to use the software, it is important for the software to give them a delightful experience. This directly contributes to users using the software for a longer time, increasing their engagement and satisfaction rate.
RPM Software Necessary Features Checklist
Key Features to Consider in RPM Software
Features define the functionality of your RPM software. Here are some key features to consider in RPM software:
1. Data Collection & Monitoring
The first and foremost feature to consider while choosing RPM software is the software’s ability to collect various physiological data from various wearable RPM devices. Though this part comes as the necessary functionality of the software, the part that you need to focus on is real-time data visualization and alerts for critical changes in vital health readings.
Along with that, consider customizable dashboards for patient-specific data monitoring, which brings ease in navigation and the usability of the software for the users.
2. Patient Engagement & Communication
Since RPM is a part of virtual healthcare practice, the software is bound to have secure two-way communication channels to enable patient interactions. Considering the standard industry practice, the software must have real-time secure messaging capabilities along with the integration of telehealth platforms.
Other patient engagement features, like libraries for educational content and resources for patients specific to their conditions, should be present within the software. Along with that, check for the automated reminder features for medication to increase patient medication adherence. These features directly contribute to increased patient engagement and facilitate effortless communication among the care team members.
3. Reporting & Analytics
Preventive care is one of the essential aspects of the RPM software. To enable this, the software must be robust enough to generate comprehensive reports of patient progress and trends in their health vitals. Along with that, the software should be capable of identifying the patient’s patterns and risk factors and reporting them to care providers to enable proactive interventions.
Furthermore, the software must integrate with the billing systems to streamline reimbursement claims and make the reporting and billing process easier for the practice.
4. Security & Data Privacy
Since the remote patient monitoring software deals with critical and sensitive patient data, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces the HIPAA privacy and security rules. Though this has now become a standard practice in the digital healthcare industry, abiding by these rules will not only help protect your patient’s privacy but also avoid legal troubles.
To ensure the software takes effective measures, evaluate the software security measures and user access controls. Along with that, here are other other compliances that you should consider:
- GDPR – For patient health information privacy and security
- HL7 – For interoperability and smooth data exchange
- FDA – For RPM device quality
- HITECH Act – For secure exchange of health information
- State and Local Regulations – Additional state and local regulations
5. Scalability & Data Privacy
The RPM program evolves over a period of time. This means your practice will grow along with your patient population. Addressing these concerns ensures that the RPM software accommodates the growth of the program and has the necessary features to match the growing needs of your patients and practice.
In that context, considering software upfront costs, subscription fees and potential training expenses are necessary. Also, explore the financing options of the vendor provider and navigate through the offerings to get an inclusive picture.
6. Vendor Support & Training
RPM software is essential, and along with it, the role of the vendor also plays a crucial role in the success of the program. So, while choosing the software, choosing the right vendor is also crucial. For this, you need to check the vendor’s reputation and the custom support that they offer.
Tip: Evaluate various vendors before making a final decision about the software. Along with that, prioritize their comprehensive training and ongoing technical support after the successful implementation of the software.
Additional Considerations for Choosing RPM Software
The features and considerations mentioned above are some of the necessary features you require to start your RPM program. However, if you are already serving a larger patient population, then here are some of the additional considerations that you can consider:
1. Feature Set & Customization Options
Different RPM software offers different feature sets. While some of the RPM software promises lucrative features, assessing them by the patient and practice needs is recommended. Some of the features that you should compare include real-time monitoring, custom automated alerts, analytics, and feature customization capabilities.
Remember, while comparing different feature sets in different RPM software, the criteria for selecting them should align with the specific needs of your practice and the clinical workflow.
2. Scalability & Integration Capabilities
Choose the RPM software with a long-term goal of your healthcare practice and RPM program. Assessing the scalability and integration capabilities of RPM software can go a long way as it will not only be able to handle high traffic on the software but also be interoperable with other healthcare systems, making the RPM software ideal for the long term.
While you shortlist the RPM software from various vendors, consider their scalability features and integration options offered by different vendors. This will give you a holistic and futuristic idea of where you can take your practice.
3. Cost & ROI Analysis
Last but not least, cost and ROI analysis is something that you should consider while choosing your RPM software. Analyze the different pricing models of different vendors, including their subscription fees and software implementation costs. Once you have an overview of this, calculate the potential ROI of adopting that RPM software.
One of the key factors to evaluate here is the total ownership cost of the software and the potential cost-saving opportunities the software provides after implementation.
Making the Final Decision
Before making the final decision, analyze the key criteria and considerations involved in the software. Just like you created a performance indicator matrix, create a similar one about the RPM software solutions you have shortlisted for your practice.
Seek additional inputs from the key stakeholders, as they might help you make a better decision.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when choosing RPM software for your RPM program. Navigate through all the challenges and offerings regarding each RPM software and make an informed decision. Furthermore, give a special emphasis on the scalability and ongoing evaluation and adaptation of the software. Apart from that, let this article be your guide in choosing the right RPM software for your practice.
Free Download - Guide to Choosing the Right RPM Software for Your Practice
Download nowFrequently Asked Question’s
The key features to look for in RPM software are:
- Device Compatibility
- Data Collection and Aggregation
- Real-time Monitoring
- Automated Alerts and Notifications
- Secure Messaging
- Care Plan Management
- Telehealth Integration
- EMR Integration
- Data Security and Privacy
- Reporting and Analytics
- Scalability and User-friendliness
RPM software can benefit your practice by allowing remote patient monitoring, improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital readmissions, and lowering healthcare costs. This can lead to increased efficiency and improve patient satisfaction.
Some of the most suitable chronic conditions for RPM include:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Heart failure
- Congestive heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease
Including the device cost, the RPM software typically costs $4 to $16 per patient per month.
Prioritize RPM software security with:
- Digital signatures for package verification.
- Encryption for data protection during transfer and storage.
- Regular updates to address security vulnerabilities.
- Strong access controls to limit user privileges.
- Compliance with relevant security standards (e.g., HIPAA).
Some of the best practices to ensure a smooth RPM program implementation are clearly defining goals, training staff, choosing user-friendly technology, involving patients in planning, and piloting before full rollout.
Data security and compliance are crucial for RPM software selection. They protect sensitive patient information and ensure legal adherence. Choose software with strong encryption, access controls, and compliance with relevant regulations like HIPAA.
Factors healthcare providers should consider when evaluating the scalability of RPM software solutions are:
- Handling a larger patient population
- RPM device compatibility
- Existing healthcare system integration
- Streamlined data and clinical workflow
