Managing chronic conditions is no simple task. Chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) require complex treatment regimens that include regular doctor’s visits, medication management and close monitoring. Patients with chronic conditions can often feel like they’re walking a tightrope, constantly balancing appointments, medications, tests and labs. Especially those living in rural or underserved areas, where it can be challenging to access the appropriate healthcare services.
Fortunately, innovative solutions like personal emergency response systems (PERS) and remote patient monitoring (RPM) can serve as vital tools in the management of chronic diseases. These technologies not only enhance health and safety, but they also help to bridge gaps between office visits while meeting patients where they are—at home. Additionally, they enable providers to deliver more personalized patient-centered care while improving access, engagement, and outcomes. The following are some of the many benefits of PERS and RPM for the effective management of chronic conditions:
Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)
24/7 Access to Assistance
Connected health technology, such as PERS, enables individuals to access assistance anytime. With just the press of a button, they can connect to emergency response centers, ensuring timely intervention in critical situations such as falls, heart attacks, or other medical emergencies. This rapid response capability is crucial in preventing complications and saving lives. But that’s not all. PERS can also be used to help address lower acuity situations, easing the strain on emergency care services and providing the right care at the right time.
A recent qualitative analysis of over 211,000 medical alert calls demonstrated that falls were the primary reason behind 53% of the alert calls. PERS was also utilized for individuals with respiratory (12.1%), pain (10.6%), GI (3.1%), cardiac (2.9%) and stroke-related symptoms (1.1%). The analysis also found that nearly 90% of all alert calls did not require escalation to higher levels of care. Further, 42% of adults were able to be assisted with their care needs and resolved onsite without emergency intervention or hospitalization.
Enhanced Independence
The effective management of chronic conditions often requires a delicate balance between independence and safety. That’s where PERS can help. PERS offers a safety net, allowing individuals to live independently while knowing help is readily available if needed. This fosters a sense of confidence and autonomy, which is essential for mental and emotional well-being.
Peace of Mind for Caregivers
Caregivers of individuals living with chronic conditions can experience significant stress worrying about the safety and health of their loved ones. PERS provides reassurance, as caregivers can trust that their family members always have access to emergency assistance and care. This peace of mind can alleviate caregiver burden and improve the overall quality of life for both patients and their families. But that’s not all. Additional PERS services, such as activity monitoring, can help individuals track their movements and steps while enabling care teams with critical insights that support earlier interventions and more personalized care. Furthermore, mobility and activity tracking paired with geofencing capabilities allow providers and caregivers to be notified when an individual leaves and returns safely home.
Cost-Effectiveness
PERS is a cost-effective solution for managing chronic conditions. By providing a prompt response, it can often help prevent emergencies from escalating, avoiding costly medical interventions and hospital admissions. Results from an IRB-approved study involving over 370 randomized individuals found significant results from PERS combined with predictive analytics, including a:
- 68% decrease in 90-day readmissions
- 53% decrease in 180-day readmissions
- 49% decrease in 180-day Emergency Medical Services (EMS) encounters
- 31% reduction in hospitalization costs
Especially important to healthcare payers and providers, PERS is a smart investment that drives quality care and lower costs. Researchers found PERS lowered hospital utilization and yielded a positive benefit-to-cost ratio of over seven to one. (For every dollar spent on PERS, $7.19 is saved in healthcare costs.)
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
Regular Health Monitoring
RPM enables the regular monitoring of a patient’s vital signs and health metrics, such as blood pressure, glucose levels, and heart rate. This critical data allows healthcare providers to detect early signs of deterioration and intervene promptly, preventing complications and potential hospitalizations. Additionally, the data collected through RPM enables healthcare providers to develop more personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs. This individualized approach enhances the effectiveness of treatment, improves patient outcomes, and fosters better adherence to care plans.
Improved Patient Engagement
RPM empowers patients to take an active role in managing their chronic conditions. By having access to their health data, patients become more engaged in their care, leading to better self-management and healthier lifestyle choices.
Reduced Healthcare Costs
The proactive nature of RPM helps in reducing healthcare costs by minimizing hospital readmissions and emergency room visits. Early detection and timely interventions prevent minor issues from escalating into major health crises, leading to significant cost savings for patients, healthcare systems and health plans.
Enhanced Provider-Patient Communication
RPM facilitates better communication between patients and healthcare providers. The continuous flow of data enables providers to stay informed about their patient’s health status and make smarter decisions quickly. This enhanced communication strengthens the provider-patient relationship and improves the overall quality of care.
The Integration of PERS and RPM for Chronic Disease Management
The powerful combination of PERS and RPM delivers a comprehensive approach to managing chronic diseases. While PERS ensures a prompt response to emergency and low-acuity situations, RPM provides regular health monitoring and personalized care. Together, these technologies create a robust support system that meets the needs of an aging population with chronic conditions. Healthcare providers and payers should consider incorporating PERS and RPM into their chronic disease management strategies to ensure better access to care, enhanced quality, improved outcomes and lower costs.