HIMSS: Remote monitoring shown to be ineffective, time-consuming in PCP setting

LAS VEGAS—Using a protocol-based remote monitoring program did not help to control the blood pressure or blood sugar of hypertensive and diabetic patients in the primary care setting, based on an e-session study at the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference. In addition to patient outcomes, the researchers found that the lack of integration and reimbursement caused a greater workload and cost burden.

“Simultaneous control of blood glucose and blood pressure is complex and difficult to achieve, but could help to improve outcomes with costly illnesses like diabetes and hypertension,” wrote lead authors Bonnie J. Wakefield, PhD, RN, research associate professor at Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri, and Richelle J. Koopman, MD, assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, both in Columbia. “Thus, the use of remote monitoring programs can shift some responsibility for patient management from the patient’s primary physician to other clinicians, such as nurses or pharmacists.” Read More