With the recent launch of NHS At Home, a new wing of the National Health Service in the UK, the use of remote hypertension monitoring devices has become a reality. The initiative, called Hypertension Plus, was born out of a need to combat the growing pandemic of hypertension. The technology is becoming an integral part of everyday care, and there are many benefits to remote hypertension monitoring. In this article, we'll explore a few of these benefits.
Improves patient experience
One study suggests that improving patient experience with remote hypertension monitoring may reduce the need for hospital visits and improve adherence to medication regimens. The results show that remote blood pressure monitoring is effective when paired with health coaching. A recent study focused on at-home blood pressure monitoring programs showed that patients who paired remote monitoring with health coaching reduced their blood pressure by 53 to 85 percent. Further, the researchers suggest that remote monitoring might be beneficial for other chronic diseases.
The research found that remote blood pressure monitoring was effective for patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and showed a reduction in SBP after only two weeks of use. Researchers also found that the remote monitoring was safe and effective. A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a study using remote hypertension monitoring improved patient care and reduced emergency room visits. The study involved 130 patients with uncontrolled blood pressure who used a Bluetooth-enabled device to measure their blood pressure twice a day. The results were then sent to patient navigators via a dashboard that provided real-time readings.
Another study found that patients who were discharged from the hospital were more satisfied with remote hypertension monitoring than those who had office visits. Women with chronic hypertension and pregnant women were the most satisfied with the remote hypertension monitoring program, indicating that patients may be more willing to participate in it. In addition, remote monitoring may help women with multiple children, including newborns, and eliminate the need to schedule office blood pressure visits around their work obligations.
Although telemonitoring is an effective way to improve the care of patients with hypertension, it has been slow to catch on. Despite promising results, patients are not widely adopting the technology. A qualitative study explored patients' and health professionals' experiences of blood pressure telemonitoring. The study was embedded within a randomized controlled trial to better understand its components and potential for adoption. There are some key factors to consider when implementing telemonitoring, which can influence patient satisfaction and adherence.
Reduces costs of chronic disease care
Remote patient monitoring is a valuable tool for managing chronic diseases. It can reduce costs while improving the patient's experience. According to the American Heart Association, remote monitoring can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke by up to 50%. Using telemedicine, physicians can consult patients from anywhere and can use live video, audio, mobile devices, and smart digital tools to reduce the need for in-person consultations.
Remote blood pressure monitoring is cost-effective and makes it easier for clinicians to monitor hypertensive patients between appointments. By preventing chronic conditions, such as hypertension, remote monitoring can help prevent the development of complications and save money on healthcare. It costs nearly $1.13 trillion worldwide to treat chronic diseases, and regular monitoring can help prevent the development of complications and minimize the cost of treating them. The benefits of remote blood pressure monitoring are numerous.
In addition to reducing healthcare costs, remote hypertension monitoring helps healthcare organizations to connect with their patients and reinforce healthy lifestyles. Data collection and transmission are key to effective care management. Ideally, remote hypertension monitoring uses a platform to connect patients and providers. If not, an e-mail or text messaging channel will do. With remote hypertension monitoring, providers and patients can communicate with each other at any time.
While remote blood pressure monitoring is more convenient, it is still necessary for patients to follow guidelines. Even if the patient isn't willing to undergo the process, remote blood pressure monitoring will save healthcare providers time. Remote blood pressure monitoring allows clinicians to check the patient's health data at the comfort of their own home, and patients are also freed from having to wait for appointments. The remote data can also save both care providers and patients a great deal of money.
Increases patient engagement
The concept of remote hypertension monitoring is gaining popularity among physicians and patients alike. The benefits of remote monitoring extend beyond the convenience of the patient. For instance, the ability to monitor their own blood pressure remotely may improve the patient's adherence to prescribed medications. In addition, the technology could coach patients to adhere to a medical plan of care, allowing care coordinators to focus on patients who need immediate attention. Ultimately, remote hypertension monitoring may help improve the health of entire populations, as opposed to a small group of patients.
The researchers found that the high engagement rate of remote hypertension monitoring was associated with more favorable health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and hypercholesterolemia. This result was especially evident in hypertension patients. Eighty-one percent of CBPP participants were still regularly inputting their measurements at two and 22 weeks, and ninety-one percent accessed their BP reports at least three times per week. The researchers found that remote hypertension monitoring is a valuable adjunctive therapy for enhancing patient engagement in hypertension management.
In addition to facilitating the self-management of patients with chronic conditions, remote monitoring improves the patient-provider relationship and improves health outcomes. The more patients are engaged in their healthcare, the more likely they are to implement the needed behavioral changes. As a result, remote hypertension monitoring helps clinicians make decisions based on clinical data submitted by the patient. It empowers the patient to take ownership of their health and care, resulting in improved health outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.
Remote hypertension monitoring also encourages healthy behaviors and holds patients accountable for their blood pressure. By encouraging regular BP measurements, remote monitoring helps patients adhere to treatment plans. Remote monitoring helps patients remain vigilant and engaged in their healthcare, thereby improving the overall quality of life. However, the benefits for clinicians extend beyond patient engagement. RPM tools integrate with EMRs to reduce duplication and enhance patient engagement.
Improves clinical outcomes
Telemedicine-based remote hypertension monitoring has shown promising results. With the help of video and telephone-based platforms, clinical providers can translate patient-generated blood pressure data into meaningful clinical outcomes. Several studies have confirmed the equivalence between traditional and virtual hypertension care. Among the outcomes, virtual hypertension care is as effective as in-person hypertension care. To demonstrate equivalence, patients are required to transmit their blood pressure data to a remote provider. In one study, the number of telemedicine visits dropped by 50%. However, the number of patients seen by clinical providers increased by 50%.
Remote hypertension monitoring can improve clinical outcomes by reducing the time required to make an office visit. In a recent study, Allen and colleagues used "activation tools" to send heart failure patients before their first visit to the cardiology department. This included encouraging patients to implement one positive change in their prescribed medications, which improved their health outcomes. These patients had higher rates of initiation of guideline-directed therapy than those in usual care.
With its high prevalence and morbidity, hypertension is one of the most common and deadly chronic diseases in the US. For optimal hypertension management, doctors should regularly monitor blood pressure, and titrate the antihypertensive medications to reduce the risk of stroke and heart failure. Traditional office-based care management is prone to misdiagnosis and undertreatment. However, digital technologies can revolutionize hypertension care delivery.
AI-based hypertension monitoring may eventually replace the need for office-based blood pressure monitoring. In the meantime, digitally connected blood pressure monitors, such as the cuffless blood pressure monitor, are being developed and need validation before being widely used. In the future, artificial intelligence might be able to evaluate blood pressure data and analyze risk factors for hypertension. Meanwhile, text-based and telemedicine platforms are increasingly being used to translate hypertension data into clinical outcomes.
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