Investing in Contactless Patient Monitoring: 5 Key Insights for Maximizing Healthcare Efficiency and Outcomes

By Tom Bang, Chief Strategy Officer, LTC, North America

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The advent of contactless passive patient monitoring technology heralds a new era of advanced care, offering unprecedented opportunities for near real-time health monitoring and early detection of potential issues. This innovation not only streamlines healthcare delivery but also significantly enhances patient outcomes by allowing for more proactive management of chronic conditions. This not only optimizes operational efficiency but also significantly improves patient care, paving the way for a more efficient and cost-effective care. 

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Investing in a contactless patient monitoring system is a significant decision for providers, operators, and payers. Here are five key considerations to evaluate before making this investment: 

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1. Technology Business Model Compatibility  

• System Capability: Evaluate how well the technology addresses your specific needs. 

• RPM Billing Support: Ensure the system reads vitals with the required frequency to meet billing codes. Some systems necessitate the patient being nearly motionless, impacting vitals reporting time for billing code attestation. ​

• Enhanced Clinical Care and Medical Claim Reduction: Confirm the system can read the necessary range of vitals. Not all systems can read the range of heart rates and other vitals to provide the clinical value you seek. Consult the vendor's FDA-filed Instructions For Use (IFU) for specifics.

 

2. System Design and Durability 

• Systems Integration/Interoperability: Assess how well the new system integrates with your electronic health records (EHR) and other IT infrastructure. 

• Ease of Use: Evaluate the need for device management, user interface, and usability for both healthcare providers and non-technical staff to optimize efficiency, minimize disruption, and reduce training time. 

• System Reliability and Scalability: Assess the system's reliability, including uptime performance, frequency of maintenance, and support availability. Ensure the system can scale to accommodate future growth and additional functionality. 

 

3. Clinical Effectiveness, Outcomes, and Efficiency 

• Validation and Clinical Studies: Check for validations or clinical studies supporting the monitoring system's effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. 

• Near Real-time Monitoring Insights: Evaluate the system's capability to provide near real-time monitoring and notifications for critical changes in patient health while mitigating alert fatigue. Systems without adaptive intelligence can overwhelm medical and care staff. Use feedback, user testimonials, and case studies to gauge the system's impact on patient care and staff efficiency. 

 

4. Data Privacy and Cyber Security 

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the system complies with relevant health data protection regulations such as HIPAA in the U.S. or GDPR in Europe.  

• Vendor Commitment: Evaluate the vendor's commitment to investments in protecting patient data through processes and certifications like SOC2.  

• Data Encryption: Verify that the system uses robust data encryption methods for data transmission and storage to protect sensitive patient information. 

 

5. Cost and ROI Analysis 

• Initial Investment: Consider the upfront costs of hardware, software, and installation. 

• Ongoing Costs: Factor in maintenance, updates, subscription fees, and staff efficiencies or inefficiencies.  

• ROI Analysis: Analyze potential cost savings from potentially reduced hospital readmissions, improved patient outcomes, and operational efficiencies. Additionally, consider improvements in patient satisfaction and staff workload reduction.

 

By carefully evaluating these considerations, buyers can make informed decisions that enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and ensure a strong ROI. 

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Investing in contactless patient monitoring systems presents a significant opportunity to enhance healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and streamline operational efficiency. By considering key factors such as system capability, design, clinical effectiveness, data privacy, and cost analysis, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your healthcare goals. 

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Neteera, a leader in healthcare technology, is committed to advancing the patient and provider experience. Find out how Neteera’s cutting-edge solutions can transform your healthcare practice, we encourage you to connect with us. Contact our team to learn more about how we can support your journey toward advanced contactless patient care. 

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