Post-surgical home care with RPM equips patients with the necessary tools and support to recover safely and efficiently. It improves postoperative care delivery and patient outcomes by facilitating early detection and preventing complications.
This article examines how remote patient monitoring for post surgical home care improves postoperative care delivery, early detection and prevention, and patient outcomes.
Post Surgical Home Care and Remote Patient Monitoring
Any procedure involving anesthesia or an incision carries the risk of complications and infections. The chance of developing a surgical site infection is about 1 to 3%. Therefore, the post-surgery recovery period is crucial for positive health outcomes.
RPM and wearable devices gather real-time vital sign data, extending patient evaluation beyond traditional in-person encounters. RPM care opens up significant opportunities to improve post surgical home care by remotely assessing surgical wounds, monitoring functional status, ensuring pain control, and identifying early signs of clinical deterioration. In addition, emerging evidence and case studies suggest that remote patient monitoring in surgical care can reduce complication rates.
Modern Postoperative Care Delivery
Researchers continue to evaluate the effectiveness of RPM in various postoperative procedures. For instance, a randomized prospective trial by Lee et al. assessed the impact of a post surgical home care program on liver transplant patient outcomes. The study found that telehealth patients had a significantly lower 90-day readmission rate than standard care. This indicates the potential for remote monitoring to reduce hospital readmissions.
Furthermore, study patients reported improved quality of life in physical function and general health at the 90-day mark. The study provides compelling evidence that telemedicine and RPM have the potential to significantly influence the outcomes and overall experience of patients undergoing major operations.
A recent study, The Digital Transformation of Surgery, reported that using smartphones for postoperative surveillance of surgical site infections is equally effective as in-person follow-up assessments. This indicates that wearable devices can safely and efficiently monitor wound healing, reducing the need for additional healthcare visits.
Remote Patient Monitoring Research in Post Surgical Home Care
An integrative review of published literature on RPM for gynecologic and urologic surgical oncology showed that post surgical home care with RPM is feasible, acceptable, and viable for tracking postoperative recovery and maintenance. Another study focused on senior cancer patients who used remote patient monitoring following surgery. Results showed the postoperative monitoring program greatly benefited these patients. Furthermore, the patients demonstrated high levels of cooperation, resulting in a high completion rate.
Another exciting development is the use of non-contact video cameras to monitor vital signs, allowing for early detection of physiological deterioration. This approach is a less disruptive, more efficient, post-surgical home care early warning system. By promptly identifying signs of deterioration, healthcare professionals can intervene early, preventing adverse outcomes and improving patient outcomes.
Some large academic medical centers have successfully implemented digital technology-enabled home hospital programs, allowing patients to recover safely from surgery in their homes. This patient-centric approach promotes faster recovery and reduces rehospitalization resource burden and readmissions.
Key Points: Remote Patient Monitoring for Post-Surgical Home Care
Remote patient monitoring for post surgical and wound care services at home through wearable devices revolutionizes postoperative management, enabling remote assessment, early detection of complications, and personalized care delivery. As a result, the future holds immense potential for a patient-centered approach, where surgical recovery from cancer and other conditions can be efficiently and effectively monitored from the comfort of one’s home. As a result, we can expect improved patient outcomes and enhanced surgical care.
Tenovi Cellular Gateway and Tenovi RPM devices make monitoring vital signs and sharing results easy, safe, and secure for telehealth companies, RPM service and software companies, and chronic care management companies. Schedule a free demo with Tenovi to learn more about our remote health monitoring services. Visit the Tenovi Blog for more research and case studies in remote patient monitoring.
