High Blood Pressure Treatment

Remote physiologic monitoring program

What is Remote Physiologic Monitoring? Since the arrival COVID, the need for remote patient services has increased significantly. Remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) is a healthcare delivery method that uses technology to monitor patient health outside of a traditional clinical setting. In our case, we are able to provide you with a blood pressure monitoring device that can help us monitor and manage your hypertension from the comfort of your home. In the future, we hope to expand our offerings to diabetics and other chronic conditions that would benefit from home monitoring. 

Why do I need this program? The best way to manage hypertension is to be proactive and take preventative measures to monitor it and manage it before it causes more serious complications. RPM programs have been found to provide a number of benefits, including:

• Reduced hospitalizations
• Shorter hospital stays if the patient can be discharged with a remote monitoring device to use at home
• Fewer visits to the emergency room
• Better health outcomes for patients in rural areas or those who lack transportation
• Better preventative management for chronic conditions
• Reduced risk of COVID-19 exposure, along with other illnesses, for patients and health care workers

Providers using RPM-enabled home health monitoring systems and other telehealth delivery methods are already reducing hospital readmission penalties. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, for example, reduced the risk of hospital readmissions by 76% — and held patient satisfaction scores over 90% — by equipping patients with RPM equipment. (“The technology, devices, and benefits of remote patient monitoring in the healthcare industry.”). 

Who will be monitoring your readings? A trained healthcare professional will work closely with your PCP at Cardinal Internal Medicine to monitor your readings using a platform created and managed by Withings Health Solutions. 

What is expected of me? Your only responsibility is to take your blood pressure every day. The more information you provide, the better equipped our staff is to help you manage your hypertension. For monitoring purposes, the minimum activity requirement is 16 days every 30 day period. 

When will I receive feedback? Our care team members will call you once a month to go over your readings and provide feedback as necessary. 

Are the readings monitored 24/7? No. The program is intended for long term management of hypertension and monitoring is primarily focused on trends and averages. However, we aim to address excessive elevations on a regular basis, but patients should seek emergent evaluation if their readings are high and they are experiencing symptoms.

How do I get started? Simply contact Kristen, Director of RPM services and she will provide you with the necessary paperwork. Please have a good email address and mobile number ready for your enrollment. Once you have reviewed and signed the RPM consent form, she will arrange for you to come by the office to pick up your assigned blood pressure device. Office staff will give you a brief tutorial on how to use the device. 

How will my readings get uploaded? The great thing about our cellular blood pressure devices is that they work similarly to any cellular mobile phone, and connect and download automatically as long as the device is in a good connectivity area. On rare occasions, a patient’s primary location falls into a cellular “dead zone” and connectivity is poor. However, this can often be fixed with an application downloaded to your smartphone to boost connectivity.

Do I need to charge my device? Yes! The device has an internal, rechargeable battery that will need to be charged every 3-4 months, generally. The device will come with a USB charging cord. Please charge the device when the battery gets below 25% or if you notice your readings becoming more labile in nature.

What if my device isn’t working properly, or I am getting an error code? Simple issues can sometimes be resolved by calling your primary care manager, however, more complex issues or warranty-related issues should be addressed with Withings Support: (903) 225-6752.. They are available Monday thru Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm EST. 

What if I want to disenroll? There is no pressure to remain in the program if it is of no benefit to you. However, we encourage all our patients to commit to at least 3 months of continued use of the device before returning the device for disenrollment. If you are unsure, please discuss further with your PCP at your next scheduled office visit. 

To officially disenroll, you simply return the device and its charger to either Cardinal Internal Medicine location (Stafford or Woodbridge). Please be sure to return the device in good, working condition. Lost, damaged, dirty or unreturned devices can be subject to replacement fees. 

Who pays for this service? As with any healthcare related service, the RPM program is billed to your insurance company. Medicare, for example, covers the bulk of the cost of the program, but the service might be subject to deductibles, cost-sharing or copays. A patient responsibility of approximately $8 to $15 per month might apply, but for patients with a secondary insurance, the service might be covered at 100%.

We sincerely ask that you strongly consider the program as a way to improve health and meet your future health care goals! We are here to help! 

*** Please note that the blood pressure monitoring devices are owned by Cardinal Internal Medicine and therefore will have to be returned to the office should your enrollment in the program come to an end. If you no longer want to participate in the program, please return the device to either Cardinal Internal Medicine office (Woodbridge or Stafford) and we will disenroll you upon receipt of the monitor. Lost, damaged, dirty or unreturned devices will result in an $85 replacement fee being charged to your account.

“The technology, devices, and benefits of remote patient monitoring in the healthcare industry.” Insider Intelligence Inc., January 19, 2023, Remote Patient Monitoring Trends & Health Devices in 2023 (insiderintelligence.com)