Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) Inc said a national medical study using its Connected Health platform proves remote patient monitoring (RPM) improves patient outcomes.
Results from the study, led by PJ Devereaux and Michael McGillion of the Population Health Research Institute, show post-surgical RPM provides greater detection and correction of drug errors, reduces patient pain, and could reduce hospital re-admissions and emergency room visits, Cloud DX said.
"With the recent rapid industry innovation, we are now conclusively seeing improvements in patient results from RPM,” Cloud DX co-founder and CEO Robert Kaul said in a statement.
"Anecdotally, we know remote patient care is great and offers more convenience. However, for physicians, administrators and payers there has been a lack of strong evidence proving ROI (return on investment) when deciding what innovations to adopt and implement. Until now."
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The study, called "Post discharge after surgery Virtual Care with Remote Automated Monitoring technology-1" (PVC-RAM 1), included over 900 patients at nine hospitals.
Scientists sought to evaluate if RPM, when used for 30 days post-surgery, improved patient outcomes compared to standard care, where the onus is on the patient to seek healthcare support.
Patients using Cloud DX's Connected Health Kit had their vital signs monitored at home, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, body temperature, and weight. Patients could also send nurses photos of surgical wounds and virtually access a nurse or doctor 24 hours a day.
Results revealed that virtual care prevented and resolved 24% more medication errors during patient care transitions than the standard care cohort. Patients under virtual care also reported 10%-14% less pain. With 5% fewer patients returning to hospital compared to standard care, the study indicated a possibility of reducing re-admissions and emergency visits.
"Remote patient monitoring is convenient, efficient, and effective. There is enormous potential for the broader society," Devereaux said.
"If we can monitor and manage patients virtually, there are upsides for population health as going to a busy clinic or hospital has inherent risk.”
Cloud DX said the PVC-RAM-1 study served as the foundation for the new surgical transitions program at HHS and St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. It features a joint command centre to monitor patients remotely as they recover from surgery at home.
"It is about innovating for the future of healthcare. The field is evolving, we need the clinical studies to make the right kind of investments into RPM," said McGillion.
"We need to discover what are the best models are to preserve patient health and safety, optimize healthcare delivery, and improve patient outcomes and healthcare-related costs."
Cloud DX’s Connected Health remote patient monitoring platform is used by healthcare enterprises and care teams across North America to virtually manage chronic disease, enable aging in place and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com