Telemonitoring Cuts Readmissions Nearly 50%
By Katie Wike, contributing writer
A long term study found monitoring patients with congestive heart failure via telemedicine can lead to a reduction in readmissions.
A Geisinger Health Plan study has found the use of remote monitoring of patients with congestive heart failure ultimately leads to as much as a 44 percent reduction in readmissions. According to MobiHealth News, the study also found remote monitoring generated a return on investment of $3.30 on the dollar.
“According to research from the American Heart Association, roughly 5.1 million Americans have heart failure, and approximately half of the patients who experience the disease die within five years of diagnosis,” explains Doreen Salek, Director, Population Health Business Intelligence at Geisinger Health Plan. “It is our hope that supplementing a strong case management program with telehealth solutions, as demonstrated in this study, can improve on those odds and ensure better outcomes for our aging population.”
The study took place over four years - from 2008 to 2012 - and followed the healthcare of more than 500 patients. Using a Bluetooth-connected weight scale from AMC Health, patients completed interactive voice surveys about shortness of breath, swelling, appetite, and prescription medication management. These questions were designed to detect problems before they occur. Weight data and survey answers were transmitted in near-real time to the patients’ care team so that their physicians could respond in the quickest way possible.
“Evidence that points to the significant value of remote patient monitoring in enhancing population health management efforts continues to mount. We are thrilled that a second Geisinger study quantifies this benefit for patients diagnosed with heart failure,” said Nesim Bildirici, President and CEO of AMC Health in a press release. “As the nation’s healthcare system continues its transition to value-based care and shared-risk arrangements gain traction, reducing hospital admissions and lowering the overall cost of care continue to escalate in importance.”
Health IT Outcomes reported in June that remote patient monitoring was helping cardiac patients manage their health and reduce readmissions that can cost hospitals thousands in fines.