Welcome to Tenovi’s weekly research update. Each week, we summarize new studies in remote healthcare to keep professionals informed of the latest studies and research in remote patient monitoring (RPM). This week, we highlight findings from a new study examining remote patient monitoring cost savings associated with acute heart patients in the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) program.
Remote Patient Monitoring Cost Savings for Acute Heart Patients
The Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), was designed to allow hospitals to treat patients in their homes while still delivering inpatient-level care. The study was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services and provides insights into how remote patient monitoring led to cost savings without compromising the quality of care for patients with acute heart conditions.
According to the study, AHCAH allowed hospitals to treat patients with conditions like heart failure or decompensated heart disease in the comfort of their homes while providing significant financial benefits. One key takeaway from this research is the difference between remote patient monitoring cost savings and traditional inpatient settings, particularly for heart patients.
Cost Savings Through Reduced Length of Stay and Lower Service Utilization
The study showed reduced Medicare spending for patients who received care at home compared to those treated in a hospital. Although AHCAH patients had slightly longer lengths of stay (by less than one day on average), they benefited from lower costs due to fewer resource-intensive services and reduced hospital overhead. More important, 30-day post-discharge costs were notably lower for patients treated through AHCAH, especially for heart-related conditions.
The cost savings are attributable to reduced service use, such as fewer emergency room visits and lower rates of hospital readmissions within 30 days. For acute heart patients, the ability to monitor conditions remotely helped providers catch early signs of deterioration, enabling timely interventions before complications arose. This proactive approach through remote patient monitoring further contributed to the overall cost savings.
Quality of Care in Remote Patient Monitoring: A Comparison
The study compared the quality of care between patients receiving hospital care at home and those treated in traditional inpatient settings. Heart patients’ outcomes were favorable across both settings, with AHCAH patients experiencing lower mortality rates. The study found no significant differences in hospital-acquired conditions between the two groups. This showed that remote patient monitoring cost savings were achieved without compromising patient safety or quality of care.
Maintaining a high standard of care while simultaneously reducing costs highlights the potential of remote patient monitoring as a future-forward solution for healthcare delivery, especially for managing chronic heart conditions.
Understanding Future Remote Patient Monitoring Cost Savings
The findings of this study show the value of remote patient monitoring in driving cost savings for acute heart patients. By leveraging advanced technology to provide inpatient-level care at home, the AHCAH program showcases a model that can be scaled to reduce healthcare costs further while maintaining excellent patient outcomes. Remote healthcare professionals should continue exploring these cost-effective care delivery models to improve patient experiences and reduce the financial burden on the healthcare system.
Visit the Tenovi blog each week for more updates as we continue to cover the latest studies in remote patient monitoring and telehealth innovations.
