How AI can supercharge care through remote patient monitoring

There's a lot of interference to draw once we close the pandemic chapter. But one thing is already clear: our healthcare system is ready to be disrupted. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our world, but it has also accelerated the adoption of telehealth as a safe alternative to physical appointments. And one of the areas of telehealth that has taken hold over the past couple of years is remote patient monitoring.

Let's see what remote patient monitoring is and how artificial intelligence once again saves the day.

Basics of Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is a growing field in the healthcare industry that uses technology to collect patient data outside of the traditional doctor's office or hospital. RPM can be used to collect various patient data including vital signs, activity levels, etc.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global market for remote patient monitoring devices is expected to reach over $101 billion by 2028. Rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and others is driving the market forward and contributes to the growing adoption of RPM software.

Benefits of remote patient monitoring

Remote patient monitoring is an effective way to monitor a person or a group of people who cannot be monitored in person. In some cases, remote monitoring can be used to track a person's vital signs, such as blood pressure or pulse. Remote patient monitoring can also be used to monitor patients at risk of hypothermia or other medical conditions that require constant attention.

Cost savings

The cost reduction potential of RPM solutions is immense. As a result, 69% of healthcare professionals ranked RPM as the number one factor in reducing overall costs.

Remote patient monitoring allows patients to obtain professional diagnoses without having to waste time and money traveling to the hospital or clinic where they are being treated. Additionally, remote treatments result in:

Optimization of time spent with patients (no input of vital signs and routine questions since the data is already available) Improved communication thanks to the increased accessibility of RPM solutions. Increased patient safety

During the pandemic, hospitals have become ground zero for the spread of contagious diseases. Therefore, online appointments have emerged as one of the safest options for obtaining professional advice. With remote patient monitoring, doctors and nurses can monitor their patients from home, preventing individuals from catching something in hospitals.

Quality of care

Remote patient monitoring can also help improve the quality of care, as it allows nurses and doctors to monitor a patient's vital signs without having to visit them in person. Access to this information can also allow patients with chronic conditions to receive better treatment because they can be followed up more frequently.

Better patient outcomes

Since doctors and nurses can monitor the data 24/7, it increases the chances of better adherence to treatment. Patients can also live more independently and be more involved in their treatment.

Improving accessibility to health care

Finally, remote patient monitoring reduces the inequities associated with traditional healthcare. Online monitoring solutions also enable remote consultations and monitoring for people living in rural areas.

How does RPM work?

There are many RPM systems on the market, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some RPM systems are stand-alone devices, while others are integrated with existing electronic health records (EHRs). But what all RPM systems have in common is the ability to collect patient-generated health data and then send it to healthcare providers for monitoring.

RPM solutions provide home telehealth functionality that can be integrated into:

Autonomous medical measuring devices (patches, blood glucose, pulse oximeter and others) Implantable devices (e.g., cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs)) Digital platforms to enable ongoing 24/7 patient monitoring and support, including telehealth.

Typically, RPM solutions connect to the cloud, enabling compliant data sharing and seamless access to patient data.

Here is a step-by-step flow of transmitting a patient's vital data from the RPM software to the healthcare provider:

A patient registers with the system so that the system can authenticate a specific device. The system initiates monitoring...