As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more healthcare professionals are turning to telehealth and remote patient monitoring programs than ever before. A whopping 36% of US consumers are now using telehealth in lieu of in-person healthcare visits.
This transformation, however, has not been without its challenges. The clinical community as a whole has a lack of motivation to support a transformation of IT to embrace new care delivery methods and models. Likewise, many clinicians struggle to trust the quality of data they receive via remote patient monitoring programs, particularly the patient-reported and self-monitored data.
CIOs across the industry are faced with the challenge of adopting standalone platforms to further enhance their care delivery and use the tools available to them to better equip their staff and embrace an industry transformation. In order for this transition to smoothly take place and to have every staff member on board, there are a few things CIOs need to consider.
Reliable Devices Mean Reliable Data
It’s no secret that there are plenty of wearables and health devices in the market today, however, not all devices are built the same. In order to be approved for reimbursement by the CMS, a device must be an FDA-listed device.
Any device approved by the FDA ensures that it is reliable, safe, and effective. The regulatory processes that a device must go through depends on its designated classification by the FDA. The FDA also provides operational instructions and guidelines letting clinicians make a calculated and informed decision when choosing a device.
When done right, remote monitoring enables healthcare professionals to monitor patients’ vitals efficiently and accurately. Vitals such as heart rate, temperature, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen saturation levels can be taken with ease with the right device, allowing clinicians to make informed decisions over time.
Work with Your Physicians for Optimal Integration
Starting a remote patient monitoring system is no simple task. Each physician will require different devices and technology depending on their specialty. A dermatologist may only require a high-resolution camera, whereas a cardiologist will need access to a patient’s vitals in real-time. Working with each physician and getting them what they specifically require will boost their trust and confidence in the remote patient monitoring program.
Another way to increase buy-in from physicians is to have a seamless EHR integration. This will decrease the physician’s time spent on the data and have everything in one place. There are certain remote patient monitoring programs that are capable of transferring data to an EHR in a standard format. Once the data is transferred in a standard format and plugged into the EHR, physicians are able to diagnose a patient in a holistic manner.
The best way to get physicians behind a remote patient monitoring program is to consider their priorities first. Equip them with reliable devices in a reimbursement-friendly environment. Integrate their workflows properly by enabling seamless data transfer. And finally, put policies into place that encourage remote patient monitoring. In a post-COVID-19 world, these are the best ways to help your physicians easily deliver remote care.
Questions?
Blue Eagle has an illustrious 16-year track record of delivering success to healthcare clients on a variety of IT projects—providing senior-level consulting professionals with heavy operational and software expertise. Contact us today and let Blue Eagle work with you. We’re here to help!
