How Remote Patient Monitoring Technology is Changing Healthcare

Let’s face it: digitization is overhauling the entire healthcare structure towards improved productivity and boosting business operations cost-effectively. And there is absolutely nothing you can do about it other than jump on the bandwagon.

A Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) system is one of such solutions offered by the technology sector to help improve the healthcare industry.

Statistics show that the global RPM software market will be worth well over $1.7billion by 2027. Now, that’s a lot of zeros.

So, what exactly is an RPM tool? Why do you even have to take the time to learn about it? What’s in it for you? Don’t worry; we've got you covered.

First, let’s understand what RPM is precisely.

What is a Remote Patient Monitoring Software?

Also known as remote patient management or remote physiologic monitoring (yes, I know, that’s a lot of “remote”), RPM software helps to enhance access to real-time data.

With RPM tools, healthcare centers can electronically track and capture health-related data from patients everywhere and anywhere. This data is then used to regulate the patients' medical condition virtually.

Now, you see, with simple RPM software, healthcare centers can serve more patients and effectively offer medical solutions in an upgraded manner. No more appointments except when necessary, nor is there a need for constant checkups. Either of these would congest doctors' calendars, giving them little to no time to prioritize.

These are a snippet of what RPM software can do for healthcare organizations. However, there is more, a lot more than you can imagine.

Let’s check that out next!

How a Remote Patient Monitoring Software Benefits Healthcare Providers and Patients

Easy access to patient data - collection and retrieval of health records are now easier said and done!

With RPM tools, access to patient data has never been easier. Since patients are connected to the system, they can send any of these details:

• blood pressure
• blood sugar levels
• weight
• heart rate
• vital signs

All of these and more without coming in for a check-up. Now here are two ways this will help healthcare providers function better.

One. Laboratory specialists are not suffocated running these tests. Without any doubt, every patient is important, but some need urgent or critical medical care. 

With results coming directly to doctors, they can conveniently spot priorities. Thus, this improves data-driven medical decisions. An RPM software cuts the time and effort docs spend to run these tests on their own. 

Oh, not to worry, RPM systems are specially built to help patients record their health data themselves. So, accuracy isn’t a problem.

Now, two. RPM software makes it easy to retrieve and compare patients' statistics right in the comfort of a sofa! 

So, you see, it doesn’t only cut down the process of attending to a patient but also helps in analyzing patient data as they come. 

For instance, healthcare providers could compare the previous week's patient vitals and the current data. Here is an overview of the efficiency that comes with just this one action:

• You don’t have to locate the patient. Instead, access them right there on your RPM system!
• You don’t have to flip a huge pile of paperwork comparing vital signs. Instead, an RPM software solution will bring the data to you with a click or two!
• And what about misplaced test results? RPM systems come with backup software!
• You can literally recommend a medical plan for 10 patients in less than an hour.

Do you want me to go on? Because there is so much more that you get with an RPM software integrated into your healthcare process.

The perfect solution to monitor chronic conditions - Chronic problem? We've got you covered!

An empirical study of chronic disease in the United States reports that approximately 133 million Americans suffer from one chronic condition or the other. Now, this isn’t exactly a good thing, and you can position your healthcare facility to help out in this situation thus, boosting your net patient revenue. 

How is this possible? Let me share some insight.

With RPM software, healthcare providers will have daily updates of patients with chronic conditions. This will help them effectively regulate patients’ health so it won’t spiral into an irreversible situation.

Here’s what happens: it becomes less complicated for doctors to treat a patient as they can nip the problem right at the bud. But it doesn’t end there.

With RPM software collecting data, you’ve indirectly assured your patients of their safety. And they are confident that you got them covered.

Besides that, RPM tools propel self-management and care protocols from patients. Both parties (healthcare providers and patients) do not have to keep up health checks. 

It’s like trying hard not to look at the alarm in the morning when it’s right there at your bedside. That’s exactly what having RPM software does for patients. An RPM software makes it easy to follow up with healthcare providers’ recommendations.

Efficiency at a lower cost - support, education, and feedback at the tip of your fingers

What about the cost? Imagine all the time and money that goes into educating patients on what to do and what not to do. What about how much patients have to spend on a checkup? Yes, I know health insurance is there, but it has some limitations.

Health insurances don’t pay for everything. What about if a patient needs therapy? Or needs surgery not covered by the insurance company? Here is the point: patients will spend, which may be demotivating for some.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 19% of households can not afford to pay their hospital bill immediately.

Your healthcare organization can reduce this figure with RPM software, reaching more disadvantaged households. It goes both ways. The time and money you would spend being available for this checkup automatically stays as credit and not debit on your balance sheet.

You and your patients save!

Improved healthcare quality and revenue - who says healthcare centers can reach for the sky?

Who says you can’t provide healthcare services to more than the number of patients you have registered now? Not us.

With RPM software, you have people who use your service in places you may not be able to expand to in 10 years or more physically.

See, globalization is getting bigger and bigger. And guess what, it only just got started. Technology is at the center of it all. So healthcare organizations can reach more patients in remote areas boosting their net patient revenue.

Join the globalization bandwagon by integrating an RPM software into your facility. Do this to avoid being swept aside by technological disruptions in the healthcare industry that may make your health center irrelevant.

With that, why don't we check some RPM software solutions out there? Most likely, you will get an insight into the model or application that is just perfect for your business.

Some Types of Remote Patient Monitoring Software Solutions, Their Uses & Examples

We will look at three different categories of RPM software and a couple of examples of each. Let’s dive right into that.

1. Cardiology Remote Patient Monitoring - medication management and titration 

Although there are many types of solutions within cardiology, medication management and titration are within the top 3. Let me tell you exactly why.

Do you know that there are 10 or more classes of medications for blood pressure? One reason I am sure you must know is that two-drug combinations are more effective than one for regulating blood pressure (BP).

Moreover, blood pressure treatment, especially high BPs, is ongoing. Medications are frequent and need changes now and then. 

Imagine scheduling checkups for every patient with high BPs, checking their BPs, setting up yet another appointment to check for improvement toward changes in medication. And this will happen a lot.

Imagine all the physical hours spent on this. Again, now imagine if the patient missed a check-up forgetting to regulate their blood pressures.

What about if a patient can send you their blood pressure levels daily and all you have to do is prescribe drugs, recommend a change of medication with one or two clicks?

Medication management and titration RPM tools help a healthcare provider to prescribe and regulate medication based on patient data as they come. 

Here’s what happens:

• Doctors save physical hours spent on frequent checkups, hours sitting behind a desk to prescribe and augment medications.
• Patients’ conditions are monitored in real-time, ensuring they avoid any health escalations.

Some examples of RPM for cardiology are ZOLL, VitalConnect, and Endotronix.

2. Pulmonology Remote Patient Monitoring - COPD management

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 16 million Americans have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD currently sits as the third leading cause of disease death in the U.S. 

It is an incurable condition but it can be managed to avoid any escalation towards death. Pulmonology RPM software can help doctors and patients work together physically and virtually to manage the patients’ heart conditions.

Pulmonologists can conveniently create a plan combining medications rehabilitation, monitoring, and support. With the aid of RPM, a doctor can ensure this plan is followed diligently, spot problems before they surface from the patient data, and offer recommendations to mitigate the issues.

This leads to higher quality healthcare - something healthcare centers want to be known for.

An example of the RPM for COPD management is Prevounce Pulmonology RPM Module.

3. Endocrinology Remote Patient Monitoring - glucose monitoring 

The National Diabetes Statistics, as cited by the CDC, reports that 34.2 million people have diabetes. This is approximately 10.5% of the U.S population.

The primary cause of diabetes, a chronic disease needing ongoing medications, is linked to our glucose levels.

People with diabetes even require that blood sugar levels be tested at least 2-3 times a day. An RPM software will inarguably make the situation more manageable. Rather than simply run the test and wait for their next check-up or appointment, RPM tools allow healthcare providers and patients to collaborate in real-time. 

The patient's glucose levels are constantly monitored, and they don’t have to wait around for an appointment. Nor wait until the situation gets out of hand before they seek your center.

A healthcare provider gets to conveniently and efficiently help its patients regulate their blood sugar levels to manage their diabetes conditions.

A good example of RPM for endocrinologists is the TimeDoc Health RPM.

With all of these, we’ve seen how very transformative implementing an RPM software will be for any healthcare provider.

Now, here comes the most critical question: how do you get started?

Sure, you could simply contact any healthcare software developer in the middle of Antarctica to get the job done, and they will do exactly as you want.

However, there is so much that you can get from a professional software development company that will get you more than what you need. Using these criteria:

1. Disruptive RPM solution - get more than what your competition has. Set the trend with an RPM tool that revolutionizes your service delivery.
2. Scalability - build a tool that will be useful now and in the years to come saving you cost for upgrades.
3. Healthcare regulatory compliance - we don’t want regulatory bodies clamping down on your healthcare center, would we now?

With these yardsticks, our experts put together just 3 software development firms to help your business take 101% advantage of what technology offers through sound RPM systems.

Let’s check them out.

Top 3 Remote Patient Monitoring Software Developers

1. Altoros Labs

Altoros Labs is one of the leading healthcare software development firms specializing in building RPM systems. With over 20 years in the technology industry, Altoros Labs has served more than 700 clients worldwide, with some of them being top healthcare providers.

Their RPM solutions are specially designed to:

• ensure better clinical outcomes;
• lower your healthcare running cost and cut medical bills for patients;
• improve your medical workers’ productivity;
• boost patient engagement;
• automate data gathering processes;
• secure these data;
• and promote patient healthcare self-management.

They prioritize all of these while ensuring that the RPM system is HIPAA-compliant.

Reach out to Altoros Labs here, and their 400+ software experts will work towards building a custom RPM software. A system that will complement your business needs in more ways than one or maybe two.

2. ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft is another one of the top software development companies building customized RPM systems for healthcare providers. 

Founded way back in 1989, Sciencesoft started as a small AI company and later established itself in the software development industry after switching to IT services in 2002.

Like Altoros Labs, they are also HIPAA compliant. With ScienceSoft, here is what you get:

• RPM solution consulting;
• RPM software development services tailored to your needs;
• HIPAA and HITECH compliance;
• and so much more.

Reach out to ScienceSoft here to get started with your RPM needs.

3. LeewayHertz

LeewayHertz, a software development company that is 100+ strong ensures the development of RPM tools that enables healthcare centers to provide both traditional and virtual care. 

By developing RPM systems that offer real-time data provisions, LeewayHertz can help your healthcare center connect with more patients.

Here is LeewayHertz’s checklist that guides their development of RPM software:

• it must enable convenient access to medical assistance;
• increase patients and doctors’ engagement;
• leads to better utilization of medical resources at your disposal

Reach out to LeewayHertz here for your RPM solutions.

The Bottom Line

Technological disruption in the healthcare industry is just getting started. So it’s a no-brainer not to take advantage of this opportunity because it doesn’t only make your healthcare center function better. It also helps you reduce costs and cut unnecessary and time-consuming processes.

So, what do you say?

Yay or nay?