With advances in technology, remote patient monitoring is becoming readily accessible to patients who need it most. Remote patient monitoring is a form of healthcare that allows doctors to monitor their patients’ vital signs and day-to-day fitness levels to improve their treatment and limit the need for in-person visits. Patients get to take the monitoring devices home and live as they normally would, and the health data is streamed to their doctor.
What do remote patient monitoring devices check?
A variety of remote patient monitoring devices exist to monitor a range of vital signs and other health factors. Commonly checked health data includes:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Heart rhythm
- Glucose level
- Number of steps
- Weight
Remote patient monitoring systems are great for elderly patients, patients with mobility issues and patients with chronic healthcare problems. Rather than scheduling numerous in-person appointments and spending hours in waiting rooms, patients can be assessed and treated quickly and effectively via Telemedicine.
By receiving real-time information from their patients’ remote monitoring devices, doctors and practitioners can assess and change treatment plans as needed to ensure that they are as effective as possible. It can also help doctors catch potentially life-threatening problems and treat them promptly. In addition to saving patients’ time, it can also save lives.
Remote patient monitoring devices and services available through Maryland Primary Care
At Maryland Primary Care, we offer a range of remote patient monitoring devices for patients who need them:
- Emergency watch
Emergency watches track daily health statistics like steps and heart rate. Monitoring health statistics allows doctors to get a day-to-day overview of their patients’ physical fitness level. This is especially beneficial for obese patients who need to lose weight and for patients who are at risk of congestive heart failure. Regular movement and exercise are essential for cardiovascular health, and an emergency watch transmits vital information to the patient’s doctor.
Emergency watches can also be life-saving for patients who could be severely injured by a fall. According to the National Council on Aging, falls are among the leading causes of death and injury in elderly adults. Approximately 1 in 4 Americans over the age of 65 falls each year. By wearing an emergency watch, elderly adults ensure that they will be able to call for help whenever and wherever they need it.
- Blood Pressure Cuff
Blood pressure cuffs help doctors monitor their patients’ systolic and diastolic blood pressure along with their heart rate. Not only that, but the cuff can detect irregular heart rhythms and alert the doctor to any potential heart trouble. All data from the blood pressure cuff automatically uploads to the doctor’s healthcare system so that they can assess their patients’ heart health and make appropriate recommendations.
Catching high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms quickly can save lives. High blood pressure is a life-threatening health condition. Remote patient monitoring allows doctors to catch changes in blood pressure quickly without needing an in-person visit.
- Digital scale
Digital scales designed specifically for remote patient monitoring go beyond the function of a basic digital scale. When a patient gets one of these digital scales to take home, it is already equipped to relay information back to their doctor. This feature is useful for older adults who struggle with new technology. They will not have to connect it to the internet or send any information via cell phone. The scale will automatically link to their doctor’s network as soon as it is used.
By monitoring patient weight remotely, doctors can keep track of any fluctuations in their patients’ overall mass. This is critical for patients with congestive heart failure or any other medical issue that leads to rapid weight loss or gain. Digital scales are also beneficial for patients with obesity who are utilizing a weight loss plan to improve their health. The daily information allows doctors to see the results of the weight loss plan and make adjustments as needed.
- Blood glucose meter
Blood glucose meters help doctors keep track of their diabetic patients’ glucose levels. Remote patient monitoring allows patients to test their blood glucose levels similarly to how they usually would, but the information is transmitted to their doctor for monitoring as well.
Make an appointment
If you have any questions about remote patient monitoring or would like to find out if it’s right for you, contact us today at Maryland Primary Care by calling 301-277-3555.
