Remote monitoring of patients is a kind of healthcare delivery approach by using technology to collect patient data outside of traditional healthcare, resulting in benefiting patients, providers, caregivers, and the whole healthcare system. It not only increases access to virtual care and communication opportunities between patients and providers but also improves patients' involvement in self-management. In addition, it reduces COVID-19 transmission and the total cost of care in general. Therefore, there are many important benefits to consider.
As COVID-19 cases increase, healthcare systems and practices around the world are innovating models of care to provide the optimal management for COVID-19 patients without putting other patients and healthcare workers at risk. With the remote monitoring of patients, clinical practices can use their existing healthcare resources to triage patients without facing the risk of further spreading disease and their healthcare staff being infected. Besides, they can prioritize high-risk patients as well.
As COVID-19 cases increase, in order to best allocate resources, practices need to be able to effectively screen, classify and monitor patients at a population health level. In addition to screening patients at home, virtual management of patient care can protect patients from infection and transmission. Therefore, patients save on travel to the clinic, thereby limiting possible contact during transport, especially for those who rely on public transport or hailing taxis or stopping at clinic stops (such as waiting rooms).
The advantage of the remote monitoring of patients is to prevent infectious diseases. On the one hand, with the remote monitoring of patients, patients do not need to go to places that are susceptible to infection such as hospitals or clinics, hence eliminating the risk of unnecessary exposure, especially for the elderly and those with chronic diseases, pregnancy, or other immunocompromised conditions. On the other hand, the remote monitoring of patients conveniently meets the need for patients to be cared for at home rather than in the hospital all the time. It not only eliminates the burden of hospital visits or hospitalizations but also enables patients to comfortably receive effective and safe care at home. In short, the remote monitoring of patients is a clear and consistent choice for patients, caregivers, providers, and payers across the industry.
