Using Remote Patient Monitoring to Improve Quality Metrics, Experience

Interest in remote patient monitoring (RPM) is on the rise, and this interest is not limited to large, well-resourced health systems alone. Even smaller medical groups and rural private practices are taking advantage of this care modality.

About 40 percent of 103 C-suite executives, clinical leaders, and healthcare professionals said that they are currently using RPM solutions, according to a survey conducted by Sage Growth Partners, on behalf of RPM company WebCareHealth, in the summer. Of those who used RPM, 67 percent reported reduced emergency department visits, 48 percent reported fewer avoidable admissions, and 44 percent reported reduced risk of adverse events.

Alan Smith, MD, a family medicine physician in Delta, Utah, is among the practitioners using RPM with the aim of improving patient outcomes. Smith provides the full spectrum of family medicine, from obstetrics and delivery to geriatrics.

Smith started looking into RPM for his practice, Delta Family Medicine-Revere Health, about 18 months ago as a way to keep track of patient's health without having them travel to his clinic.