The truth is that healthcare is evolving rapidly and it’s coming to our own living rooms. As a medical practice, clinic or healthcare organization leader, you may have discovered that in today’s world, the limits of brick and mortar care are no longer sufficient. Patients crave convenience, and providers need to know what is going on between visits. That’s exactly where Remote Patient Monitoring RPM software comes into play.
However, if you are already on a search for a remote patient monitoring solutions platform, you are well aware that there is a highly competitive market. Most of the time vendors will tell you that they have the best software and the easiest set-up, and with all the marketing buzz, it can take just a moment to get overwhelmed.
So how do you select a product that works with your process, makes your employees happy, and doesn’t break the bank? Let’s examine the specific features that a remote patient monitoring system should have.
What is Remote Patient Monitoring
So let’s simplify what we are purchasing before we examine the features. Remote patient monitoring is a way through which a patient can keep track of their vital signs at home, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, or oxygen saturation, and then automatically uploads the data to their medical team, without having to physically go to the doctor’s office.
For your practice, this isn’t just about cool new gadgets. It is truly a game-changer for chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart failure. Especially, rather than waiting for a patient to crash and rush to the emergency room, you have your eyes open for signs of trouble when the trend looks off.
Oh, and there are Medicare and insurance reimbursement codes to support a solid RPM program, and a steady predictable stream of revenue for your practice. It really is a win-win proposition when you purchase the right system, of course.
Key Features of the Best Remote Patient Monitoring Software
Once you begin to book product demos, vendors will give you 50 different features. Avoid flashy and unnecessary add-ons. Think about the vital skills required for everyday life that you want to master.
1. Real-Time Data Dashboard and Alerting Systems
Find a system that lets you adjust these alert levels on a per-patient basis, since a “normal” reading for one patient may be a problem for another.
The second benefit is seamless EHR integration.The other advantage is seamless EHR integration.
If an RPM solution does not work with your existing EHR, then move on. It takes too much time for your employees to click between different tabs and to copy and paste data back and forth. Human error and large burnout rate because of double data entry. Patient vitals and time logs should be automatically transferred from a great RPM platform to your current charting system.
3. Cellular vs. Bluetooth Medical Devices
The technology your patients take home is of huge importance. There are basically two options: Bluetooth and cell connected devices (such as blood pressure cuffs, blood glucose monitors and scales). Patients need to connect their medical tool to a smartphone application for Bluetooth devices. Patients who are tech-savvy can do that.
However, for the elderly and for people who do not have internet access it’s a nightmare. Cellular devices operate “out of the box”, and the patient merely takes their reading – the data is automatically sent. For the most part, cellular beats patient compliance.
The equipment is too difficult if you can acquire the blood pressure reading from the box by pressing a single button, but the grandma who is not tech-savvy cannot. Don’t add bells and whistles; instead, keep things basic.
Selecting the right RPM vendor for your clinic can be a challenge.
Purchasing software is just half the challenge; you are also selecting a long-term business partner. There are some questions that you need to ask yourself while talking to the seller during the sale so you aren’t stuck in a bad deal.
How to Customer Onboarding Process?
Who will arrange for the patient to get up? Does the vendor deliver the devices directly to the patient’s home, case-in-hand, or does the clinical staff unbox, test, and distribute the devices? Some of the best vendors will provide “turnkey” logistics, taking care of stock, shipping, and initial patient tech support. This leaves your medical assistants to concentrate on your actual practice.
Does the Pricing Model have transparency?
There are two typical RPM software pricing models: monthly subscription per patient or software-as-a-service (SaaS) and device leasing. Be careful of any hidden charges, including activation fees, shipping charges, and nonuse penalties. You want a clear financial model with a monthly software cost that’s easily matched with the regular insurance reimbursement payments.
The Regulatory Checklist: HIPAA, Compliance, and Security
Talking about health tech without talking about compliance isn’t possible. Patient information is very sensitive, and you can’t afford to have a security breach or audit failure.
Data encryption and HIPAA compliance
This is a given, but make sure the vendor has an explicit Business Associate Agreement (BAA) and that end-to-end (E2E) encryption is used for all transmitted data. Don’t use a vendor that is reluctant or uncertain about the use of encryption techniques.
Automated Reimbursement Tracking and Time Logs
For Medicare and commercial payers to pay for RPM, your clinical team must dedicate a certain amount of time per month (typically 20 minutes or more) to inspecting patient information and communicating adjustments. What you purchase for RPM should come with an automatic background timer that tracks precisely the amount of time your staff spends on a patient’s case. If your time tracking logs are not audit-proof, you could lose out on reimbursements.
Conclusion
Choosing a remote patient monitoring platform doesn’t have to be a nightmare. By focusing heavily on seamless EHR integration, incredibly simple cellular devices, and a vendor that handles the heavy lifting of shipping and logistics, you set your clinic up for massive success.
Don’t hurry the procedure. Before you sign any contracts, make sure your clinical team sees the program, ask tough questions about hidden charges, and get a live demo. With the right RPM solution, such as Tellihealth, in place, you’ll keep your patients healthier, reduce hospital readmissions, and bring a modern, valuable service to your medical community.
