Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

What is remote patient monitoring (RPM)?

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a technological care delivery method that collects and monitors patient data outside of a clinical environment. RPM devices send the patient data to healthcare providers who assess and develop instructions and recommendations outside the clinical setting.  

RPM is frequently used to monitor patient data on:  

  • Blood pressure 
  • Blood sugar 
  • Electrocardiograms 
  • Heart rate
  • Vitals 
  • Weight 

Why is remote patient monitoring (RPM) important to healthcare?

Remote patient monitoring is important because it lets healthcare providers oversee patients’ health and progress after they leave a facility, such as a hospital, skilled nursing facility, primary care office and intensive care unit. This continual monitoring helps decrease hospital stay lengths and readmission rates. In turn, lower hospital stay length and readmission rates contribute to lower costs and better quality of care.  

Importantly, RPM also improves patients’ quality of life because it promotes health and makes it possible for disabled and elderly individuals to live at home.