By Grant Mya
Remote patient monitoring, sometimes called remote orthopedic monitoring, is a new model of technologically advanced health care wherein many different services can be remotely monitored by dedicated equipment. This kind of monitoring has many advantages, especially in rural or remote areas where access to modern health facilities or hospitals is often infrequent.
Remote patient monitoring is a very promising technology in improving the health of patients who often suffer from debilitating illnesses or conditions, or have chronic disabilities which are difficult to treat. Remote monitoring not only helps health professionals monitor their patients but can also save them considerable amounts of time because of the low costs involved.
This monitoring method is convenient because it allows health professionals to obtain up-to-date, specialized health information, from remote locations without compromising their work schedules. Remote patient monitoring also refers to the use of electronic devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, to remotely capture and monitor patient data.
The primary purpose of this technology is to reduce healthcare providers’ workload by allowing them to receive timely data on patients, as well as to improve patient care by enabling healthcare providers to make better decisions. Remote patient monitoring uses various forms of telemedicine, including telephone and video conferencing and internet-based patient management software.
In addition to providing valuable health information, remote patient monitoring devices can help prevent the occurrence of adverse drug reactions, monitor stress, and blood pressure, and track vital signs. Certain devices allow monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure. Some allow clinicians to remotely control patient settings, such as heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and other therapeutic levels. Telemedicine applications allow clinicians to enter patient information and exchange data in real-time.
Some remote monitoring devices incorporate tools that allow clinicians to provide patients with advice, such as improving their diets and medication regimens or providing alternative therapies. Telemedicine has enabled clinicians to offer patients advice on a variety of issues ranging from how to manage their conditions to how to treat and prevent common illnesses.
Remote patient monitoring has also provided clinicians with the opportunity to provide patients with improved outcomes in certain areas, such as reducing the incidence of diabetes. In New York, for example, where diabetes has become a growing concern, medical professionals are now able to recommend improved diabetes education and treatment and monitor their patients more closely.
Improved outcomes for patients have also been observed when remote patient monitoring is used in conjunction with additional measures designed to prevent adverse outcomes. One example is the implementation of patient education campaigns that encourage healthcare providers to offer patients detailed information about their condition and to educate them on the benefits of maintaining a healthy diet. Using rpm technology, healthcare professionals can also detect early signs of heart disease and prescribe treatment for these conditions. The use of additional diagnostic testing, such as cholesterol tests, may also prevent the onset of more serious diseases.
Remote patient monitoring is rapidly becoming an important part of the healthcare system. Its value is apparent in the increased productivity of physicians and in providing patients with improved quality of life, as well as a decreased chance of suffering long-term consequences due to common chronic conditions.
