The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and celebration. However, for individuals with chronic health conditions or those recovering from illness, it can also be a time of increased health risks and challenges. For patients, balancing chronic condition management with the busy holiday season can feel overwhelming. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is estimated that approximately 23 percent of chronic disease patients make a trip to the emergency room during the holidays1. Cellular Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)™ can be invaluable in the effort to prevent adverse events for these patients.
The Challenges of Healthcare During the Holidays
The holidays can pose unique challenges for healthcare systems, providers, and patients:
- Reduced Access to In-Person Care: Physicians, Practices and Clinics may operate on limited schedules, and healthcare professionals often take well-deserved time off. Cellular RPM use gained wide acceptance during COVID for this very reason and is also a reliable tool during the holidays.
- Increased Stress for Patients: Traveling, disrupted routines, and indulgent meals can exacerbate health conditions, particularly for individuals with diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension. Cellular RPM provides real-time readings so patients, families and providers can be in more control of health issues during this time.
- Longer Waits for Emergency Room Visits: Many health crises occur during the holidays due to neglect of symptoms, dietary indulgences, or delayed treatment and most people will seek treatment at an emergency room due to limited access elsewhere. By monitoring and controlling chronic conditions with cellular RPM, patients can avoid timely and costly trips to the ER.
These factors make it imperative to have a proactive healthcare strategy in place, and cellular RPM can fill this critical gap by providing real-time health data and fostering continuous care.
Benefits of Cellular RPM During the Holidays
- Continuous Care Without Disruptions
Cellular RPM ensures patients receive care even when in-person visits are not feasible. For example, a patient managing hypertension can have their blood pressure monitored remotely, enabling providers to spot concerning trends and make recommend lifestyle or medication changes without requiring an office visit.
- For Providers: It minimizes the risk of overlooked symptoms that could escalate into emergencies.
- For Patients: They can enjoy holiday festivities while staying connected to their care team.
- Improved Health Outcomes
Health conditions don’t take a holiday. Cellular RPM helps patients adhere to their treatment plans by providing real-time feedback and accountability. Healthcare providers can still easily track patients and identify concerning trends, enabling timely action to prevent complications.
In a Howard University study of patients with diabetes using Smart Meter’s cellular-enabled iGlucose® glucometer, 70% of the high-risk participants lowered their A1c by an average of 2.8% within 90 days2. In another study3 the results of an 18-week RPM program using Smart Meter’s iBloodPressure cellular blood pressure monitor revealed that 42% of the 524 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) patients with AHA Stage II Hypertension had their Hypertension “controlled” within 10 weeks, with an average drop in Systolic Blood Pressure of 16 mmHG.
- Enhanced Peace of Mind for Families
For families with chronically ill loved ones, cellular RPM offers reassurance that their health is being actively monitored.
Key Features That Reassure Families:
- Easy-to-use devices
- Reading sent instantly to the provider for real-time tracking
- Reduced Burden on Healthcare Facilities
By catching and addressing potential issues early, cellular RPM reduces the likelihood of emergency room visits and hospital readmissions, which are often more common during the holidays. This relieves pressure on overburdened healthcare systems while keeping patients safer at home.
Holiday-Specific Use Cases for Cellular RPM
Monitoring Holiday-Induced Health Challenges
- Cardiovascular Health: Overeating and stress can spike blood pressure and heart rates. RPM devices like blood pressure monitors can provide heart rate in real time.
- Respiratory Conditions: For patients with asthma or COPD, a cellular pulse oximeter can track oxygen saturation, ensuring prompt action in case of flare-ups.
- Diabetes Management: The holidays usually mean more foods with high carbohydrates. By having a cellular glucose meter, patients can see their glucose reading immediately and more importantly, that reading will be sent instantly to their provider.
Managing Patients Traveling During the Holidays
Patients traveling to visit family or enjoy a holiday vacation can use cellular RPM devices to stay connected to their healthcare team regardless of location. With cellular RPM, there is no internet, smart phone, or hub required for the reading to be sent immediately through a secure cellular network to the patient’s provider. Providers can review a patient’s data in real time and track trends over time to make care plan changes when needed.
Overcoming Barriers to Cellular RPM Adoption During the Holidays
Even with all its important benefits, cellular RPM adoption can face challenges such as:
- Technology Hesitation: Some patients, especially older adults, may find it daunting to use new devices. However, cellular RPM devices are designed to be user-friendly, and in most cases, are ready to use right out of the box.
- Cost (although minimal): Some minimal expenses are involved for cellular RPM, but the benefits far outweigh this because it often reduces long-term costs by preventing expensive medical interventions or hospital readmissions.
Providers can address these concerns by offering education and support to help patients and caregivers confidently embrace RPM technology.
Preparing for the Holidays with Cellular RPM
Healthcare providers can maximize the benefits of RPM during the holiday season by:
- Identifying patients who would benefit most from cellular RPM and ensuring they are equipped with the necessary devices.
- Setting up communication protocols for real-time support.
- Educating patients and families on using cellular RPM tools effectively.
For patients, starting RPM ahead of the holidays ensures they are comfortable with the system and can seamlessly integrate it into their daily routine.
Conclusion
Cellular RPM is not just a technological convenience; it is a vital tool that ensures patients receive consistent, quality care even during the bustling holiday season. By reducing health risks, offering peace of mind, and alleviating pressure on healthcare systems, cellular RPM empowers patients and providers to focus on what matters most: enjoying the holidays in good health.
As the festive season approaches, healthcare providers should consider integrating cellular RPM into their care strategies. For patients and their families, using the cellular RPM devices provided to them could be the key to a happier, healthier holiday season.
For more information about Smart Meter’s cellular RPM solutions, please contact us today.
References
1 – https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm
2 - The Benefits of Remote Monitoring of Real Time Blood Glucose Data Using iGlucose System in Managing Patients with Diabetes, Howard University Diabetes Center.
