The healthcare industry is no stranger to technological advancements. From hospital-based machinery to health trackers, technology providers are continually innovating to help practitioners monitor patient health.
Despite these innovations, hospitals and other healthcare facilities in Australia still grapple with several challenges. Resource scarcity, including shortages of beds, medical equipment, and personnel continue to hinder the provision of quality patient care. In fact, this is still impacting health systems in over 90% of countries. As a result, healthcare providers are seeking cost-effective solutions to safeguard patient care and improve long-term operational efficiency.
What is remote patient monitoring?
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a critical aspect of digital health, according to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. It involves capturing and exchanging health data between patients and healthcare practitioners as part of a patient’s electronic medical records (EMRs). While RPM has typically referred to virtual appointments and at-home health monitoring, it can now also be used to closely monitor patients as part of in-patient hospital care.
By integrating telemetry devices with other technological capabilities like video, audio, and real-time edge analytics, hospitals can improve their operational efficiency and the quality of care provided to patients. Remote patient monitoring is also valuable for tele-sitting and tele-ICU, allowing practitioners to observe patients and closely monitor vital signs in intensive care units. Adopting devices that are based on open standards and vendor-neutral allows for effective integration and greater flexibility in patient care.
Optimising workflows in hospitals
Hospitals are some of the most difficult institutions to operate; the day-to-day logistics involve constant movement among staff and patients, which breed inefficiencies.
The cost of medical staff represents a significant challenge for healthcare providers. Hospitals are now able to reduce costs by using remote monitoring capabilities to replace in-person nursing. Decision makers can demonstrate the return-on-investment (ROI) for hospitals in the long-term by comparing the costs of in-person nursing to tele-sitting.
This technology can also address the problem of rising staff shortages faced by many hospitals. Video, audio, and analytics, simplify processes for medical staff, allowing hospitals to better manage their resources. Staff can also monitor multiple patients from a central location, even across different sites, optimising workflows and enabling healthcare teams to do more with fewer resources.
Real-time patient monitoring
Hospitals are grappling with the challenge of maintaining adequate staffing levels to provide quality patient care. By using in-room cameras with audio capabilities and telemetry devices to monitor vital signs, healthcare practitioners can monitor patients in real-time and respond quickly in critical situations. This technology can be particularly useful in identifying audible indicators of breathing difficulties and alerting medical staff to take immediate action to administer care.
Tele-sitting can also benefit from remote patient monitoring by enabling two-way communication between healthcare practitioners and patients. High-quality video can provide visual indications of patient distress, while fall detection and analytical capabilities can help healthcare practitioners manage their patients’ needs and provide quality care. These capabilities not only enhance bedside care but also lead to increased patient satisfaction.
Protecting patient privacy
Maintaining patient privacy is a crucial aspect of remote patient monitoring that healthcare providers must prioritise. Patient confidentiality is protected under privacy laws, and any data transmitted through remote monitoring is considered part of a patient’s medical record, which must be protected.
To ensure patient privacy, cameras used in patient rooms are able to provide a live feed with no footage stored. Edge-based analytics within cameras can also help protect patient identity by dynamically masking faces and bodies in real-time while still allowing healthcare practitioners to monitor patient movements.
In addition, remote monitoring devices must have proper cyber protection in place to prevent cybercriminals from accessing sensitive patient data. With the rise of digitised health records, healthcare providers must take proactive measures to minimise cyber risks and ensure that patient information is protected.
As a leader in network video, Axis understands the importance of integrating video, audio, and analytics with telemetry data in healthcare. This combination not only improves operational efficiency by streamlining resource allocation, but also boosts patient and staff satisfaction. With our advanced technology solutions, such as remote patient monitoring, healthcare practitioners can better protect and care for their patients, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided.