How do you know whether to choose cellular or Bluetooth medical monitoring devices for your patients? Before selecting a cellular or Bluetooth remote patient monitoring device, you’ll want to consider all the features of FDA-cleared cellular and Bluetooth RPM medical monitoring device technologies.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand each technology in terms of device setup, technology requirements, data privacy, speed, and cost.
Cellular and Bluetooth Medical Monitoring Devices
One major benefit of remote patient monitoring is that it makes submitting vital statistics to providers fast and easy. With Bluetooth and cellular medical monitoring devices, physicians can immediately receive and measure physiologic data such as a patient’s heart rate, weight, oxygen saturation, pulse rate, glucose levels, and more. With this consistent data flow, providers see a complete overview and record of patient vital signs.
Remote patient monitoring has the power to engage and empower patients while improving patient adherence to treatment plans. Providers can choose from a growing list of FDA-cleared cellular or Bluetooth remote patient monitoring devices. Ultimately, the better option is the one that works best for your patient population, organizational workflows, and remote patient monitoring goals.
What Does FDA-Cleared Mean?
Before researching RPM medical devices, it is essential to know the differences in FDA medical device clearances: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. The Medical Device Amendments of 1976 to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act established 3 regulatory classes for medical devices. The three classes are based on the degree of control necessary to ensure that various types of devices are safe and effective. This description of classes 1-3 will assist you in your search.
Class I – These devices present minimal potential for harm to the user and are often simpler in design than Class II or III devices. Examples include enema kits and elastic bandages. 47% of medical devices fall under this category, and 95% are exempt from the regulatory process.
Class II – Most medical devices are considered Class II devices. Examples of Class II devices include powered wheelchairs and some pregnancy test kits. 43% of medical devices fall under this category.
Class III – These devices usually sustain or support life, are implanted, or present a potentially unreasonable risk of illness or injury. Examples of Class III devices include implantable pacemakers and breast implants. 10% of medical devices fall under this category.
Cellular RPM Medical Devices
FDA-cleared cellular RPM devices transmit patient vital sign monitoring data through the same cellular network as our mobile phones. The best RPM devices use widespread cellular providers to transmit data. To make that possible, the cellular remote monitoring device company works with area cell phone service providers to utilize their coverage networks.
One advantage of cellular RPM equipment is that data is transmitted via a cellular connection, which works anywhere within the cellular range. Cellular telehealth RPM medical devices provide more accessibility, making them a good choice for specific patient populations.
Some remote patient monitoring devices connect to a health hub or gateway via cellular networks. These networks are most reliable in simultaneously connecting many remote patient monitoring devices. For example, this option allows multiple wireless blood pressure monitors, scales, blood glucose meters, and pulse oximeters to connect and transmit data through the gateway.
The Tenovi Gateway is one health hub offering the following features.
- Seamlessly connects to a growing list of Tenovi and 3rd party devices.
- Connects to cellular carriers in the U.S.
- Automatically transmits patient data to HIPAA-compliant Tenovi cloud.
- Non-obtrusive visual reminders to improve patient adherence.
- Cybersecurity encryption and authentication.
- Ready for use right out of the box – no syncing or apps are required
- It offers a central device to manage instead of multiple Bluetooth monitoring devices.
- It is more customizable by integrating multiple monitoring devices tailored to the patient’s needs.
- The gateway integrates, stores, and organizes data from multiple monitoring devices.
RPM Bluetooth Medical Devices
In contrast, FDA-cleared Bluetooth medical monitoring devices require a gateway device, mobile app, or internet connection. Some Bluetooth devices require a complex pairing process on a smartphone. Patients may encounter further difficulty if the device does not remain connected. When this happens, the patient often must establish connectivity multiple times. Devices may also require updating or reformatting from time to time.
For example, Tenovi’s Blood Glucose Meter is a top-line FDA-cleared class 1 RPM device that does not require syncing or apps. It includes a cell-enabled meter, lancet, and custom test strips that simplify measuring blood sugar.
All the patient has to do is gather the equipment and perform the following steps with clean hands:
- Insert the test strip into the meter
- Wipe your finger with an alcohol pad and let dry
- Gently prick the side of the finger with the lancet
- Place a drop of blood onto the test strip and wait for the reading
- The Data is automatically sent to your healthcare team
Setting up RPM Medical Devices
Regarding RPM patient device setup, is cellular or Bluetooth better? It is often said that a positive first impression makes a difference. Patients with a quick and easy setup experience will likely continue using RPM devices. It can make a big difference to patients and caregivers managing a chronic condition such as heart failure, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, or diabetes.
Bluetooth Medical Device Setup
Geriatric patients and those who are not tech-savvy may struggle considerably with setting up the Bluetooth RPM device. Patient satisfaction and ease of use are crucial to keeping patients engaged and excited about regular health monitoring. Because of pairing issues, patients may require technical support.
Cellular Medical Device Setup
Cellular remote patient monitoring hardware devices require no connection setup and work anywhere outside of the home where there is cellular coverage. This makes using RPM technology easy for all patients, especially those struggling with technology. The device works out of the box, and an internet connection is unnecessary. For example, watch this short video to see how simple setting up an rpm scale can be.
However, the use of cellular technology-based remote patient monitoring devices is restricted to the coverage area of the cellular network provider. In some remote or ultra-rural regions, this could pose challenges to connectivity. Data transmission may be disrupted if the cellular network suffers a breakdown.
Internet Requirements for Bluetooth Devices
Bluetooth technologies require users to have access to the Internet. This can present a problem for those living in rural areas, where nearly one-fourth of these populations, 14.5 million, lack internet access. The CDC notes that people living in rural areas of the United States are more likely than urban residents to die prematurely from five leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke.
The senior population is another area of concern when accessing the Internet. Pew Research reported that in 2021, only 64% of U.S. adults 65 and older had access to the Internet. Since Bluetooth RPM devices require an internet connection, patients in the above categories cannot use Bluetooth health monitoring devices.
Fortunately, cellular RPM devices are an option for patients fitting into these demographics. However, with this transformation comes the need for individuals to develop their digital health literacy. The World Health Organization defines digital health literacy as the ability to seek, find, understand, and appraise health information from electronic sources and apply the knowledge gained to addressing or solving a health problem.
Cellular and Bluetooth Medical Devices Data Privacy
Is a cellular or Bluetooth RPM device better for data privacy? Reliable, uninterrupted internet access is necessary because remote patient monitoring requires the timely transmission of patient data. In addition, data privacy could be at risk with Bluetooth RPM devices in cases of low Bluetooth connections, as health data could be intercepted, resulting in a security breach.
Cellular or Bluetooth RPM Devices and Speed
Cellular remote patient monitoring devices are fast. With the rise of 5G, they are getting even faster. Data is immediately transmitted and recorded in real-time. Healthcare providers receive the data almost instantly, allowing them to take immediate action when necessary.
Bluetooth devices often require users to log into an app before submitting their data to their provider. Providers don’t get those immediate updates, and the process adds an extra step for patients to remember, which could significantly affect compliance.
Bluetooth and Cellular Monitoring Devices and Price
Bluetooth devices generally cost less than cellular devices. The higher cost for cellular-connected and cellular RPM devices may be worth the investment, as they are supported by a broader network, promoting simplicity and ease of patient use.
Remember, regular, quality data is always helpful when it comes to understanding a patient’s condition. Remote patient monitoring requires patients to use their devices at least 16 days a month. Frequent measurements accumulate fast and provide clinicians with valuable insights for optimizing treatment plans. Cellular RPM devices may be well worth the cost when it comes to patient satisfaction and patient adherence.
Bluetooth vs. Cellular: Which Choice is Better for Your Strategy?
Cellular or Bluetooth medical monitoring devices are available for several uses: wireless blood pressure monitors, wireless weight tracking scales, wireless blood glucose monitors, wireless pulse oximeters, and more. RPM companies offer various cellular and Bluetooth device types to choose from. Here is a quick summary of the benefits of cellular vs. Bluetooth.
Bluetooth device benefits:
- Bluetooth is the more cost-effective option.
- Bluetooth devices can connect when a patient cannot access a cellular network.
- A more comprehensive array of Bluetooth devices is available for healthcare providers and patients.
Cellular device benefits:
- Transmits patient health data in the fastest, safest, most reliable ways to remote patient monitoring software platforms.
- Easy for the patient
- More likely to remove frustration with no downloading apps or syncing needed.
- Patients can use devices right out of the box for a seamless experience.
Meet a Better RPM Experience
High patient adherence rates are critical to a successful patient monitoring program. Are you looking for a better experience that offers cellular and Bluetooth device options for managing heart health, COPD, or other chronic conditions in patient care? Schedule your free demo with Tenovi, and get ready to meet a better RPM experience.
