In this article, you will explore the effectiveness of remote patient monitoring (RPM) for early identification and management of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients. A proactive approach is essential when caring for cancer patients due to the complex nature of their needs. While remote monitoring is widely used in various healthcare domains, oncology has primarily used RPM for monitoring parameters like activity, sleep, and heart rate. Nevertheless, recent research is mounting on the effectiveness of remote temperature monitoring for febrile neutropenia.
What is Febrile Neutropenia?
Febrile neutropenia refers to low levels of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils are white blood cells that fight infections, including viruses and bacteria. Maintaining a sufficient neutrophil count is essential for a robust immune system. When there aren’t enough neutrophils, the body struggles to combat germs, making even normally harmless bacteria a threat, leading to potential illness.
Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy often face the common complication of febrile neutropenia, also known as neutropenic fever. Indeed, 1 in 29 chemotherapy patients is hospitalized, with a mortality rate of 7-9.5%. Fevers can strike suddenly and go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Now that you understand the significance of febrile neutropenia, we will discuss the costly challenges associated with the management of febrile neutropenia.
Healthcare Expenses and Febrile Neutropenia
Febrile neutropenia accounts for more than 5% of all cancer-related hospitalizations, with associated costs exceeding $2.3 billion annually among adults. It represents roughly 8% of all cancer-related expenses. The critical nature of this condition and the substantial financial burden underscore the need for early prevention and rigorous management of febrile neutropenia.
Moving on, we explore the symptoms and management of febrile neutropenia and how remote patient monitoring plays a crucial role.
Remote Patient Monitoring for Febrile Neutropenia
Remote patient monitoring thermometers and pulse oximeters are commonly used to decrease hospitalizations and fatalities in chemotherapy patients. In addition, a new remote blood count analyzer has recently been approved for at-home monitoring.
The UCLA Center for SMART Health conducted a study focused on the management of febrile neutropenia in patients using remote patient monitoring. This study used a digital infrared thermometer and a pulse oximeter for continuous vital sign monitoring to provide early clinical indicators of febrile neutropenia.
The researchers compared the RPM to standard management of febrile neutropenia in hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies and febrile neutropenia. They aimed to detect early indications of febrile neutropenia and other critical conditions. The heart rate data showed high repeatability compared to in-hospital assessments, with a solid ability to detect tachycardia (heart rate >100 bpm) with 88% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Combining heart rate and temperature data allows for tracking clinical changes, such as febrile neutropenia or dehydration requiring immediate treatment.
Now, we explore the DEFeNDR program, which offers an alternative to inpatient care for cancer patients at risk of febrile neutropenia.
Reducing Hospitalization with Remote Patient Monitoring
Research reports that readmission rates for cancer patients discharged from the hospital are as high as 27%. However, there is no standardized definition of a preventable readmission for patients with cancer.
The DEFeNDR (DEcreasing the buRDeN of Febrile Neutropenia with Remote Monitoring) program represents an alternative to inpatient care for cancer patients at risk of febrile neutropenia. Participants in the program used remote monitoring of vital signs for the management of febrile neutropenia.
The study found that participants in the program spent fewer days in the hospital than those who declined participation. However, the difference was not statistically significant due to the small sample size. Patients in the program also had shorter hospital stays and lower rates of intensive care unit utilization upon readmission.
The following section explores the final study focusing on remote monitoring of patients at high risk of febrile neutropenia.
High Risk of Febrile Neutropenia
This study focused on improving the management of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients with a remote monitoring program. This RPM program used a digital infrared thermometer and a pulse oximeter to monitor vital signs and notify healthcare providers of any abnormalities in real-time. Researchers compared the remote monitoring system to the standard in-hospital vital signs monitoring in patients experiencing febrile neutropenia.
The study found that the remote monitoring system was highly accurate in assessing heart rate, providing a valuable supplement to remote temperature assessment. It effectively detected tachycardia (heart rate above 100 bpm) with high sensitivity and specificity. Despite the system showing lower sensitivity in capturing high temperatures and low oxygen saturation. The approach provided valuable real-time feedback to healthcare providers. While temperature and oxygen saturation assessments may need improvement, the heart rate assessment offers accurate data.
Finally, the next section will discuss the future of remote patient monitoring in cancer care and its potential in future cancer care.
Understanding The Future of Remote Patient Monitoring in Cancer Care
Research is regularly conducted on the effectiveness of remote patient monitoring in the management of febrile neutropenia. These pioneering studies and programs demonstrate the potential to benefit cancer patients, especially in outpatient settings. Remote monitoring alleviates the economic burden of febrile neutropenia by enabling early intervention, reducing the need for additional healthcare services, and enhancing patient outcomes. As technology advances, we can anticipate even more effective and precise remote monitoring solutions to revolutionize cancer care further.
Whether your healthcare partners are interested in adopting remote patient monitoring to increase patient engagement, create a more efficient workflow, or increase revenue, Tenovi can help you find the best remote patient monitoring solution. Book a free demo today.
