Remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices in healthcare enable providers to track patient vitals and health status from afar. As the production of RPM devices grows, healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, FQHCs, and health systems, now have access to a wide array of devices that facilitate remote care. These devices vary significantly in their technological capabilities, features, and ease of use.
Key aspects of RPM devices include:
- Connectivity: Most use cellular networks or Bluetooth technology
- Data synchronization: Some require manual syncing, while others transmit data automatically
- User interface: Designs range from simple, app-free devices to more complex systems
This article will examine six of the most prevalent remote patient monitoring devices used in healthcare today, highlighting their features and applications.
Cellular-Connected Remote Patient Monitoring Devices
Tenovi remote patient monitoring devices use Bluetooth to connect to the Tenovi Cellular Gateway. A key benefit of using a cellular gateway is versatility. A gateway allows Bluetooth medical devices to connect and transmit health data through cellular networks.
Tenovi also partners with device manufacturers like A&D Medical, Omron, Transtek, and Trividia Health to offer a variety of Bluetooth and cellular devices like blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, and weight scales. The gateway technology enables seamless integration of many devices for remote data collection and transmission. Ultimately, this gives RPM software and service companies flexibility in meeting their clients’ diverse needs.
6 Common Remote Patient Monitoring Devices in Healthcare
Once a measurement is taken, remote patient monitoring devices automatically transmit patient readings to RPM portals for care providers to access in real-time. Each RPM device measures a different vital sign. Depending on the patient’s condition, some devices are more ideal than others.
For example, someone who is pre-hypertensive will benefit from using a blood pressure monitor, while someone with diabetes will benefit from using a blood glucose meter. It is important to note that the sophistication and availability of these devices vary based on the remote monitoring service provider.
Several top remote patient monitoring devices are available to healthcare organizations, including:
In the following sections, we’ll review what conditions top remote patient monitoring devices help manage and how to use them.
1. Remote Patient Monitoring Blood Pressure Monitors
RPM Blood pressure monitors are remote patient monitoring devices that help individuals with hypertension ensure their blood pressure stays within a healthy range. Hypertension is a major risk factor for many chronic care diseases like heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and stroke. It is also concerning during pregnancy.
Fortunately, with remote blood pressure monitoring, clinicians can identify complications early and provide prompt treatment by tracking patients’ blood pressure between visits. The blood pressure monitor will display systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate.
The top number is the systolic blood pressure measurement. This indicates the pressure in the arteries when your heart beats. According to the American Heart Association, any reading above 130 mmHg is considered hypertensive. The second number is the diastolic blood pressure measurement, the amount of pressure in between heartbeats. Any reading above 80 mmHg is considered hypertensive.
How to Use a Blood Pressure Monitor
Most top RPM digital blood pressure monitor devices are user-friendly, making them ideal for remote use. Tenovi’s BPM works right out of the box, eliminating the hassle of device setup.
For the best results, encourage your patients to:
- Relax for about 5 minutes before
- Sit comfortably and avoid crossing your legs
- Keep their arm rested on top of a table or armrest
- Empty their bladder
- Measure around the same time every day
- Avoid eating, exercise, caffeine, and alcohol for at least half an hour before
- Take the measurement twice, about a minute apart, to ensure accuracy, and then average the numbers
To use a blood pressure monitor, wrap the cuff around the upper arm (ensure the cuff is on bare skin, not clothing) and press the middle button. The cuff will inflate, measure blood pressure, and automatically send the data to the RPM platform.
2. Remote Patient Monitoring Scales
Weight gain of 3 or more pounds in a single day can indicate congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart cannot efficiently pump blood throughout the body. At-risk individuals typically experience shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and dizziness. While it is entirely normal for weight to fluctuate, weight gain in at-risk patients can serve as a precursor to more serious conditions. By monitoring a patient’s heart health with body weight, clinicians can quickly identify signs of heart failure and focus on early management.
How to Use a Weight Scale
With both a cellular-enabled scale and cellular-connected scale, all the patient has to do is step on the scale to turn it on and wait for the reading. The information will automatically be sent to the clinician, and the RPM device will turn off independently.
For the most accurate results, advise patients to:
- Weigh themselves at the same time every day (preferably in the morning)
- Avoid eating or drinking right before the weigh-in
- Wear the same clothing for each weigh-in or weigh without clothes on
Regular bodyweight measurements can help healthcare providers evaluate the effectiveness of a patient’s management plan and, if necessary, quickly make adjustments to better control fluid retention.
3. Remote Patient Monitoring Blood Glucose Meters
Diabetes is the 8th leading cause of death in the United States. If poorly managed, diabetes can cause kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and blindness. By utilizing either a cellular-connected or cellular-enabled glucometer to monitor blood sugar levels remotely, clinicians can better assess whether a patient’s treatment management plan is working and make adjustments to optimize care.
How to Use a Blood Glucose Meter
Tenovi’s Blood Glucose Meter is a top-line FDA-cleared remote patient monitoring device. It includes a cell-enabled meter, lancet, and custom test strips that simplify measuring blood sugar.
Gather all the materials and perform the following steps with clean hands:
- Insert the test strip into the meter
- Wipe your finger with an alcohol pad and let it dry
- Gently prick the side of the finger with the lancet
- Place a drop of blood onto the test strip and wait for the reading
Most patients should aim for blood glucose levels between 80-130mg/dL before a meal or below 180 mg/dL in about 2 hours after a meal. If patients’ blood glucose levels are too high, they may need to adjust their diet or medications.
4. Remote Patient Monitoring Peak Flow Monitors
How to Use A Peak Flow Meter
To begin using the Tenovi peak flow meter, relax for a few minutes before closely following these 3 easy steps.
- Turn it on. Press the power button for 3 seconds and wait for the Gateway to start flashing yellow.
- Take a reading: Take a deep breath, then exhale quickly into the peak flow meter.
- Data transfer: PEF and FEV1 data will automatically transfer to the Tenovi cloud or clinician portal.
PEF and FEV1 data will automatically transfer to the Tenovi cloud or clinician portal.
5. Remote Patient Monitoring Pulse Oximeters
Among the other remote patient monitoring devices in healthcare is a pulse oximeter. This device is useful for assessing lung disease is a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter measures heart rate and oxygen saturation in a patient’s red blood cells. Patients with conditions that affect blood oxygen levels, like heart attack, heart failure, COPD, anemia, lung cancer, asthma, and pneumonia, may benefit from regular pulse oximetry.
How to Use a Pulse Oximeter
Pulse oximetry is typically tested at the fingertips to measure how well oxygen is being sent to areas of your body furthest from the heart. This RPM is simple to use.
To use the Tenovi Pulse Oximeter, all the patient has to do is:
- Turn on the device. Place a finger inside the slit, and wait for the reading. A pulse oximeter uses light to measure the oxygen in your blood at a given point.
- Pulse oximeters will show blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate.
- Patients should seek medical attention if their reading indicates:
-
- SpO2 under 90% (hypoxia)
- Low pulse rate
- High pulse rate
Most top remote patient monitoring platforms will notify the healthcare provider immediately.
6. Remote Patient Monitoring Digital Thermometers
A remote patient monitoring thermometer is used for body temperature monitoring for early infection detection, where timely treatment is crucial. This is especially true in the case of sepsis. RPM digital thermometers are remote patient monitoring devices used in cancer care to monitor COVID-19 and postoperative patients. Regular temperature monitoring reveals symptom patterns and serves as a warning signal when abnormalities arise.
How to Use an RPM Thermometer
Patients should follow these three easy steps to use the Tenovi RPM thermometer.
- Turn it on: Press the blue power button and wait for the Gateway to start flashing yellow.
- Take a reading: Point the thermometer to the center of the forehead (1-3 cm away) and press the blue button.
- Data transfer: The temperature measurement data will automatically transfer to the clinician portal.
Remote Patient Monitoring Devices in Healthcare: Key Points
There are a variety of top FDA-cleared remote patient monitoring devices available from the best remote patient monitoring companies that are revolutionizing healthcare between clinic visits. Early identification, promoting patient adherence, and prompt intervention are key to successfully managing chronic conditions.
Are you ready to get RPM started for your healthcare partner? In addition, though not reimbursed as medical providers, pharmacists can work with physicians to collect, gather and interpret measured health data that has been digitally compiled. And — the Tenovi technical support team delivers industry-leading service and troubleshooting support.
Schedule a free demo and consultation today with Tenovi. You’ll discover why Tenovi offers a better RPM experience for patients, physicians, and healthcare teams. No syncing. No apps. It just works—automatic and secure transmission of patient measurements within seconds.
