Chronic Conditions that Qualify for Management with RPM

An annual physician check-up with vital screening and bloodwork is not a huge commitment for someone with no pre-existing conditions. However, that reflects about 40% of the U.S. population. Roughly 129 million, or 60% of Americans, suffer from at least one chronic illness, most of them in rural and underserved areas. By definition, chronic disease requires ongoing medical attention, lasts for at least one year, and can limit daily activities. That volume of in-person care is untenable for patients, providers, and the U.S. healthcare system. In answer, remote patient monitoring (RPM) is transforming the medical landscape, providing solutions to streamline and enhance care and its accessibility. For many chronic care patients with certain illnesses, this development is life-changing. Here are some of the conditions that qualify for RPM.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a major chronic condition worldwide, affecting 830 million people. In the U.S. alone, 1.2 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Strict adherence to dietary restrictions and consistent monitoring of blood glucose levels are intrinsic to diabetes treatment. RPM systems integrate with self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) devices such as blood glucose meters and wearable sensors for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). These devices allow patients to monitor blood glucose levels from anywhere. RPM technology transmits vital information to a healthcare team, enabling early detection of anomalies, adjustment to treatment, and prevention of complications. Additionally, RPM sends medication reminders to support patients in their care and provides insights from the data it collects.

Hypertension (High blood pressure)

Hypertension poses a significant risk of heart attack and stroke, yet many don’t know that they have it. Although it often presents with no symptoms, it is widespread, affecting nearly half of U.S. adults. Only about 1 in 4 adults with high blood pressure have it under control. Here is where RPM can help. RPM-enabled, at-home blood pressure monitors with Bluetooth® capabilities empower patients to engage in their care and see how lifestyle changes and adherence to their treatment plan affect their readings. Providers gain a clear understanding of a patient’s blood pressure profile through consistent monitoring, enabling more effective medication management. Fluctuations in readings signal prompt intervention, potentially preventing hospitalizations and life-threatening emergencies.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump adequate blood and oxygen to support the proper function of other bodily organs. It affects about 6 million adults in the U.S. and costs the nation approximately $40 billion annually and rising. Cardiac patients can use RPM devices to track their blood pressure, heart rate, and weight, which can indicate fluid buildup and a worsening heart condition. Patients recovering from heart episodes and surgeries can convalesce comfortably at home, tracking their progress and response to treatment. Through RPM alerts, providers can address negative changes and irregularities, decreasing hospitalizations, lowering mortality rates, reducing costs, and lightening caregiver load.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Another leading cause of death in the U.S., COPD, is the result of inflammation, lung damage, and excess mucus blocking airflow through the lungs. The diminished oxygen to the bloodstream damages cells, tissues, and organs. COPD patients must regularly monitor their blood oxygen levels and lung function. Many advanced-stage COPD patients rely on oxygen tanks and other equipment and have labored breathing and reduced mobility, making travel, even at short distances, difficult and exhausting.  RPM relieves COPD patients from the need for frequent office visits and the physical demands associated with them. Using RPM devices like spirometers and pulse oximeters, COPD patients can check and record their lung function and oxygen saturation from home and instantly report the results to their healthcare team. RPM tools can also flag increased coughing and other signs of exacerbations for COPD patients. COPD can cause cognitive impairment, affecting memory, attention, and executive functioning, so the medication reminders RPM provides are also helpful. Knowing they can stay connected to a healthcare team can ease anxiety for COPD patients and enhance their quality of life.

Other chronic conditions that can benefit from continuous monitoring with RPM devices include chronic kidney disease, obesity, and prediabetes. RPM empowers and engages patients in managing their conditions, increasing treatment adherence, and bettering outcomes.

The Benefits of RPM for Chronic Care Management (CCM)

Fostering personalized care plans, a streamlined process, and timely, efficient delivery, RPM solutions are creating positive and impactful change for CCM. Notable  improvements include:

• Increased patient engagement: Patients who record their readings, see their results, track their trends, and realize the correlation between lifestyle choices and wellness are more involved and invested in their care. They have better commitment and adherence to their treatment plans and gain confidence.
• Early intervention: Real-time monitoring creates a proactive approach to care that empowers providers and patients to stay ahead of symptoms, effectively manage conditions, respond quickly to issues, and prevent health emergencies and hospitalizations.
• Reduced healthcare costs: RPM reduces in-person office visits, fostering efficiency within practices and reducing overhead. Fewer complications and hospitalizations due to better health management save money in the long run.
• Better quality of life: RPM creates an environment of security, one where people can receive care comfortably in their homes, knowing that they are connected to a healthcare team that is aware of their health status and ready to respond with every recording. The comfort, convenience, and control RPM provides increased patient confidence and improves quality of life.

Patients with chronic illness owe it to themselves to participate in an RPM program that can make their lives and overall healthcare experience better with advanced CCM methods. Continuous monitoring allows providers to create personalized care plans and effective management for an increasing number of conditions, which include heart failure, hypertension, COPD, and diabetes. RPM is raising the standard of care and expanding its reach for underserved areas. 

To learn more about RPM devices and CCM through Nsight, click HERE to schedule a demo today. Whether you are a patient or provider looking to learn more about RPM, we would love to hear from you. 

*not all devices and services referenced in this article are currently offered at Nsight Health as of posting