For the millions of Americans suffering from hypertension, managing blood pressure is critical to reducing the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. To help those at risk, remote patient monitoring (RPM) offers the opportunity to equip patients with the necessary tools to manage their conditions from the familiarity of their own homes.
At the same time, RPM empowers healthcare professionals with real-time data to monitor patients and proactively intervene when necessary. But can RPM technology actually reduce readmission rates for those with hypertension?
Understanding Hypertension and Its Impact on Members
First, it’s important to understand the severity of hypertension and how it impacts the overall health of Americans. High blood pressure is labeled the "silent killer" because patients with it typically display no symptoms until it has caused significant damage to their heart and arteries.
The condition is a leading cause of hospitalizations, healthcare costs, and, ultimately, readmission rates. Reducing these occurrences is critical to containing costs as well as enhancing the overall quality of life for patients. Integrated programs can proactively reduce risk in a significant way by leveraging devices that are easy to use.
Blood pressure monitors connected directly to healthcare providers through advanced telehealth technology allow patients to remotely perform regular blood pressure checks. The data collected is transmitted in real time to mobile healthcare teams that can analyze trends and make timely interventions to reduce risk and readmission rates.
In practice, RPM has shown impressive results in managing hypertension and reducing all-cause readmission rates. Programs utilizing RPM report a significant reduction in hospitalizations compared to those not leveraging the technology. For those with comorbid conditions, such as heart failure, the reduction in hospitalizations is even more profound, resulting in both cost savings and improved patient outcomes.
Building a Roadmap for Hypertension RPM Program Deployment
There are a few key ingredients needed for a proper RPM program that can empower teams to help reduce readmission for patients afflicted with hypertension. Leveraging a few key elements, care teams can build a program with the following elements:
- Monitoring devices: Employing user-friendly blood pressure cuffs and other related devices
- Patient engagement: Encouraging self-care through regular monitoring and education
- Data analytics: Using machine learning and AI to predict risks and personalize care plans
- Health education: Providing information on lifestyle changes and medication adherence
- Alert systems: Setting thresholds for alerts that notify care teams of potential issues
On top of that, it’s important for members to receive education tailored to their level of understanding and lifestyle. Learning topics can include the importance of medication adherence, low-sodium diets, and regular physical activity. Care teams can supplement care remotely to amplify the success of the RPM program for hypertension patients.
Deploying an RPM program should be a thoughtful integration. The solution on its own needs the support of humans and data to achieve optimal success. There are many challenges, such as ensuring patient engagement and dealing with technological barriers, that healthcare teams will need to overcome. Coupling comprehensive training for patients on using RPM devices and providing technical support via care teams and technology make a real impact on all-cause readmission rates.
Building and deploying an RPM program for hypertension doesn’t have to be a difficult process. AMC Health has worked with some of the leading teams in the country to enhance the member experience, reduce readmission rates, and strategically position healthcare teams to improve quality of life.
To learn more about partnering with AMC Health, book a discovery call today.
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