npj Digital Medicine (Aug 2021)

Implementation of a multisite, interdisciplinary remote patient monitoring program for ambulatory management of patients with COVID-19

  • Jordan D. Coffey,
  • Laura A. Christopherson,
  • Amy E. Glasgow,
  • Kristina K. Pearson,
  • Julie K. Brown,
  • Shelby R. Gathje,
  • Lindsey R. Sangaralingham,
  • Eva M. Carmona Porquera,
  • Abinash Virk,
  • Robert Orenstein,
  • Leigh L. Speicher,
  • Dennis M. Bierle,
  • Ravindra Ganesh,
  • Debra L. Cox,
  • R. Nicole Blegen,
  • Tufia C. Haddad

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00490-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Established technology, operational infrastructure, and nursing resources were leveraged to develop a remote patient monitoring (RPM) program for ambulatory management of patients with COVID-19. The program included two care-delivery models with different monitoring capabilities supporting variable levels of patient risk for severe illness. The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and safety of a multisite RPM program for management of acute COVID-19 illness. We report an evaluation of 7074 patients served by the program across 41 US states. Among all patients, the RPM technology engagement rate was 78.9%. Rates of emergency department visit and hospitalization within 30 days of enrollment were 11.4% and 9.4%, respectively, and the 30-day mortality rate was 0.4%. A multisite RPM program for management of acute COVID-19 illness is feasible, safe, and associated with a low mortality rate. Further research and expansion of RPM programs for ambulatory management of other acute illnesses are warranted.