Check out Recent Research on the Efficacy of Telehealth & RPM

Every quarter, we analyze recent research exploring the application of telehealth and RPM. These 3 studies point to the positive impact of telehealth and RPM for heart failure, diabetes, and COVID-19 patients. 

Continuous Wearable Monitoring Analytics Predict Heart Failure Hospitalization
March 2020, Circulation: Heart Failure

The goal of this study was to determine accuracy of noninvasive remote monitoring in predicting heart failure re-hospitalization. Researchers found that implantable cardiac devices can help with accurate and timely detection of worsening heart failure.

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78 patients
Age 68+

Heart with Pulse

At  time of hospital discharge patients enrolled and fitted with a disposable multi-sensor patch

Chat Bubble

Patient data uploaded via smartphone to cloud analytics platform

Tablet Medical

24 hour clinician monitoring for up to 3 months, alerts sent to clinician when reading different than baseline


What were the results? 

Throughout the study, 49 unplanned non-trauma events occurred, including 27 HF events; 28 of the total ED visits resulted in hospitalizations.

The platform detected precursors of hospitalization for HF exacerbation with up to 88% sensitivity and 85% specificity. The median time between initial alert and readmission was about 6.5 days.

Effect of remote management on comprehensive management of diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 epidemic
January 2021, Primary Care Diabetes

The goal of this study was to weigh the benefits and risks of at-home diabetes monitoring and treatment compared to traditional, in-person monitoring and treatment. The study found that telehealth tools can can help people with diabetes improve TIR without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. At the same time, through the supervision and encouragement of doctors, patients can avoid weight gain and improve self-management of their condition.

User - Man in Circle

180 patients
90 control group, 90 intervention group

Tablet Touch Screen Selection

Intervention group: at home blood glucose monitoring and smartphone app

Cell Phone Medical

Control group: only access to the smartphone application

Checklist

Both groups participated in questionnaire survey through smartphone application over a 3 month period


What were the results? 

BMI and postprandial blood glucose (PBG) of the control group at was higher than the intervention group.

In the intervention group, time in range (TIR) increased. It decreased in the control group.

There was no difference in the incidence of hypoglycemia between the two groups.

 

Remote patient monitoring for ED discharges in the COVID-19 pandemic
January 2021,  BMJ Emergency Medicines Journal

This paper provides insights into a Washington D.C. medical center's experience developing and deploying an RPM program for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and discharged from an urban, academic emergency department (ED). 

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83 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 upon ED visit

Tablet Touch Screen Selection

21 day monitoring during the acute phase of illness

Cell Phone Medical

Each morning patient submits biometric data (pulse oximeter and thermometer) and symptom survey

Checklist

Survey responses and biometric results analyzed by dashboard and flagged for clinical follow up if indication of deterioration


What were the results? 

60 (72%) patients triggered an automated flag at least once, 39 (47%) patients were escalated to a telehealth consult

 17 (20%) patients were referred to the ED for inperson evaluation and possible admission

Five (6%) of these 17 were referred to the ED by ambulance transport (911)