Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a medical technology solution reshaping the medical field. This article discusses real-life uses of RPM through two compelling case studies. The first remote patient monitoring case study covers general surgery, and the second covers pediatric cardiac care. Both studies provide evidence-based research on how remote patient monitoring saves lives and enhances patient care in two medical fields.
Remote Patient Monitoring Case Study 1
In a Stony Brook University Hospital remote patient monitoring case study, a newly implemented remote patient monitoring program for post-surgical home care identified a rare postoperative complication in a 65-year-old male patient. Abnormal vital signs triggered an alert to the attending surgeon, prompting the patient to visit the hospital’s Emergency Department. The patient presented with severe illness, tachycardia, dry mucous membranes, and right lower quadrant pain 12 days after a laparoscopic appendectomy.
Laboratory results indicated elevated liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, and a high white blood cell count. Imaging revealed a large, undefined lesion in the right lobe of the liver, diagnosed as a pyogenic liver abscess. The patient was admitted and treated with IV antibiotics, fluids, and pain relief. An ultrasound-guided hepatic abscess drain placement was performed, leading to significant improvements during hospitalization.
By promptly detecting and addressing postoperative complications, it has the power to save lives and enhance patient care significantly.
Remote Patient Monitoring Case Study 2
The second remote patient monitoring case study moves into pediatric cardiology, specifically addressing single ventricle congenital heart disease and complex Fontan surgery. Pediatric patients with Fontan circulation face the risk of elevated pulmonary artery pressure, which can be life-threatening if not monitored closely.
Traditionally, remote pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) monitoring using CardioMEMs devices has primarily been used in adults. However, a case series involving eight pediatric Fontan patients sheds light on its safety and utility in this medically fragile group.
The second remote patient monitoring case study also involves a 16-year-old boy born with a severe heart condition. He had surgery at age 3 to improve his heart function. About 12 years later, he developed a condition that affects the digestive system.
Initially, his heart pressure appeared low, but further remote monitoring showed it was even lower than expected. To address this, a CardioMEMS device and a small opening in his heart were implanted to track his heart pressure more accurately. As medication adjustments ensued, the patient’s protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) improved, but his heart pressure fluctuated at home.
This led to a re-diagnosis of PLE, and the patient is currently under evaluation for a potential heart transplant. This intricate journey highlights the complexities of Fontan circulation in pediatric patients and the necessity for precise monitoring.
Key Points: Understanding RPM Case Studies
These two remote patient monitoring case studies serve as compelling evidence of how this technology continually aids both physicians and patients. Moreover, the case study in general surgery and telemedicine underscores the immense potential of RPM by swiftly detecting and addressing postoperative complications, saving lives, and improving patient care.
The application of CardioMEMs devices in pediatric Fontan patients signifies a significant breakthrough. It offers safer and more precise monitoring for this complex group, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for these young patients.
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