More than 50 million Americans will experience allergy symptoms this year. However, these symptoms can lead to a medical emergency for more than 24 million individuals in the U.S. with asthma. Remote peak flow monitoring allows individuals to monitor and manage their condition with a remote patient monitoring (RPM) digital peak flow meter for asthma. A remote peak flow meter is a remote patient monitoring device used to manage respiratory conditions, such as asthma, by measuring the maximum airflow out of the lungs.
This article explains:
- Why RPM is effective for managing respiratory diseases like asthma.
- How to use a peak flow meter for asthma.
- Why a digital peak flow meter for asthma helps improve patient outcomes.
A Digital Peak Flow Meter and Asthma Care
Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing in people with chronic respiratory conditions. These conditions, which are not curable, include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational lung diseases, and pulmonary hypertension. Pediatric asthma is one of the leading long-term diseases in children.
Asthmatics must avoid and remove environmental triggers that can cause an attack. Generally, asthma is controlled with medicine and a treatment plan. Fortunately, these medications help dilate air passages to improve shortness of breath and control symptoms to increase patient quality of life.
A remote digital peak flow meter for asthma is a device that can be added to a patient treatment plan. It measures peak expiratory flow, the maximum airflow out of the lungs. Close monitoring of peak flow measurements with an at home peak flow meter helps to identify flare-ups early and enables patients to seek treatment quickly.
Engaging Patients
A digital peak flow meter for asthma measures peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1) and send the data to the physician. This data allows physicians to assess patient lung function accurately and promptly. Engaging and empowering patients to follow their treatment plan and take daily measurements is key to managing symptoms. Peak flow meter technology can encourage treatment adherence.
Many remote patient monitoring programs incorporate the following methods of care to engage their patients better:
- Identify and address asthma patients’ educational needs.
- Send reminders to reinforce the patient’s asthma action and treatment plans.
- Provide peak flow meters and clear instructions and videos to guide in long-term monitoring.
- Opens regular communication to encourage patient progress.
Benefits of Using a Digital Peak Flow Meter For Asthma
There are several benefits of using a digital peak flow meter for asthma. The first is that physicians and patients can evaluate and identify the causes of flare-ups and how to treat the specific lung condition best. Remote peak flow monitoring lets providers quickly determine if medication or treatment changes are necessary.
There are several additional benefits to managing asthma with RPM.
- It helps identify asthma flare-ups early.
- Enables patients to seek emergency treatment sooner.
- Allows physicians to respond to an emergency.
- Facilitates long-term follow-up of respiratory conditions.
- Improved patient treatment adherence.
- Cost-effectiveness.
- Provides access to quality healthcare for rural populations.
- RPM facilitates avoidance of data fabrication from patients using paper charts.
Current Research on Remote Peak Expiratory Flow Monitoring
Clinical care research shows that measuring FEV1 is the gold standard for monitoring lung function. Several studies have been conducted on remote monitoring methods for PEF and FEV1. For example, a recent pilot study showed that 70% of the participants completed their twice-daily measurements, while 85% performed at least one measurement daily.
Another 10-year study conducted in eastern China showed a correlation between reduced expiratory flow and predicting an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These results suggest that peak expiratory flow and using a digital peak flow meter for asthma may be valuable risk assessment tools for early intervention in cardiovascular disease. Finally, another study found that many RPM device manufacturers have overcome early challenges with home peak expiratory flow testing in obstructive airway diseases.
How to Use a Peak Flow Meter – Set up and Connectivity
Some digital peak flow meters for asthma require technical understanding to set up. Patients can experience frustration as they attempt to establish connectivity, possibly multiple times. In addition, some remote patient monitoring devices require updating or reformatting from time to time. Easy-to-use cellular-connected devices naturally encourage and make RPM easy for patients. Likewise, quality RPM software tools with thoughtful features make it easy for care teams to keep patients engaged.
A study published in PLOS One suggests that remote physiological monitoring and device reminders could help promote self-care treatment plans while potentially reducing hospital readmissions. Therefore, identifying factors that influence patient adherence is of great importance.
Tenovi FDA-cleared remote patient monitoring devices are cellular-connected and do not require apps or syncing. Devices are ready to use immediately so that a physician can automatically and securely start receiving patient measurements within seconds.
Tenovi Peak Flow Meter Advanced Features
The Tenovi digital peak flow meter for asthma automatically connects to the Tenovi Gateway. Additional FDA-cleared RPM devices, such as blood pressure monitors, scales, blood glucose meters, and pulse oximeters, can all be connected to the same Gateway.
The Tenovi Gateway offers the following features.
- Seamlessly connects to a growing list of Tenovi and 3rd party devices.
- Uses the most modern cellular technology.
- Attaches to most 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.
Learning how to use the Tenovi peak flow meter for asthma care management is easy.
How to Use a Digital Peak Flow Meter For Asthma
The Tenovi PFM monitoring device is user-friendly and easy to use, making it ideal for remote use. In addition, the PFM is already programmed to connect to the Tenovi Gateway. Therefore, learning how to use a digital peak flow meter for asthma is simple and it is ready to use immediately.
Below are the Tenovi Peak Flow meter device specifications:
- Automatically captures Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEF) and 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1)
- FDA-cleared
- 0.5L-8L volume range
- 60L/min – 840L/min Flow Rate
- Includes 2 AAA alkaline batteries
- Accuracy: ±3% of volume
- High accuracy with no calibration required
Tenovi Peak Flow Meter: How to Use in 3 Easy Steps
To begin using the Tenovi peak flow meter, relax for a few minutes before closely following these 3 easy steps.
1) Turn it on
Press the power button for 3 seconds and wait for the Gateway to start flashing yellow.
2) Take a reading
Take a deep breath, then exhale quickly into the peak flow meter.
3) Data-transfer
PEF and FEV1 data will automatically transfer to the Tenovi cloud or clinician portal.
Digital Peak Flow Meter for Asthma Readings
When a patient takes the reading on their Tenovi Peak Flow Meter, the data is instantly sent to the patient’s physician for review. Likewise, the record helps patients and physicians understand asthma changes and how to manage future asthma episodes better. In addition, qualified healthcare professionals can set thresholds to notify the physician if a reading exceeds the set limit.
In light of this, Caregivers provide patients with personal best ranges to create an appropriate Asthma Action Plan. Hence, an asthma action plan generally has three zones: green, yellow, and red.
- Green zone: Asthma is well-controlled when peak flow is 80 – 100% of your personal best.
- Yellow zone: Asthma is worsening or is poorly controlled when peak flow is 50 – 80% of your personal best.
- Red zone: Asthma is severe. It requires emergency care when peak flow is less than 50% of your personal best.
Tenovi: A Better RPM Experience
Visit Tenovi’s Telehealth News Weekly blog article for additional research about the benefits of asthma remote monitoring. Schedule your free demo with Tenovi, and get ready to meet a better RPM experience.
