Skilled nursing has staffing issues. A majority of the population has a chronic diagnosis. One fluctuation in vitals can require hospitalization and lower quality measures. Remote patient monitoring is increasingly being mentioned, but solutions like Teladoc remote patient monitoring were designed with a different audience in mind. Virtual health is a growing space, but understanding remote patient monitoring companies snf operators need day to day is key.

Teladoc Remote Patient Monitoring Overview

Teladoc has invested in connected devices, coaching applications, and even AI enabled fall risk virtual sitters. Their remote patient monitoring capabilities focus on BP, glucose, and weight tracking. It can be valuable for an ambulatory diabetic or hypertensive patient, as they are able to receive notifications or a care coach, and sync the data to a relevant health system. What many of these solutions miss is that most of the population does not have the physical or mental capabilities to manage a device on a consistent basis. Many residents of an SNF will struggle with wearables on a daily basis. Teladoc remote patient monitoring is more geared towards the telehealth ecosystem that the company has already established, and would be appropriate for a hospital environment or post-discharge support. When it comes to a skilled nursing floor day after day, the limitations come to light.

Why Standard Remote Patient Monitoring Solutions Fail in Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing requires early intervention. Even a slight variation in heart rate or respirations can be an early sign of decline that requires hospitalization days later. Many remote patient monitoring solutions require a resident to be actively involved with testing or have staff consistently take vitals. There are gaps overnight and throughout the day. Remote patient monitoring companies snf teams looking to reduce transfers and keep residents in the building have to overcome high acuity, charting requirements, and the limitations of a short term stay. Much of what works in an outpatient environment does not fit the pace of an SNF. As a result there are inconsistent findings or a high quantity of unnecessary alerts that are ignored. I've seen facilities attempt to deploy a general purpose remote patient monitoring platform and see it go unused after a few months.

The Challenges Remote Patient Monitoring Companies SNF Operators Face

Operators require consistent data without additional burdens on overworked staff. Contactless solutions offer a major benefit to facilities where residents are unable or unwilling to engage with wearables. These programs must integrate into the EHR or other systems that the facility uses, such as PointClickCare, in order to reduce documentation requirements. Billing practices need to be understood and followed in order to receive proper reimbursement under Medicare guidelines. Lastly, remote patient monitoring data rarely has an impact on the floor unless it is filtered through a clinical assessment. Trends are reviewed and then the most relevant ones are communicated to the care team. This is an area where many remote patient monitoring companies snf leaders fall short. They offer devices and a portal, but the ability to reduce unnecessary transfers and readmissions through clinical validation is often overlooked.

How Tapestry Management Services Differ From The Competition

Tapestry management services has been developed as a solution for post-acute and long term care facilities. Radar based vital monitoring eliminates the need for any interaction with the resident. Connected devices sync directly to the EHR to reduce documentation steps for nurses. Trended data is used to identify potential issues days in advance, and the clinical team filters this information to ensure sites are only notified of meaningful changes. Facilities that have deployed this system have seen a significant reduction in unplanned transfers and interventions, while also seeing improvements in their quality reporting and star ratings. Instead of promising a better experience for the resident or family, Tapestry management services focuses on the impact that remote patient monitoring can have on the facility as a whole.

Teladoc Remote Patient Monitoring vs SNF Specific Programs

Teladoc remote patient monitoring represents a strong solution for larger scale chronic care management. The fall prevention features are appropriate for hospitals seeking to reduce injuries from falls. However, skilled nursing requires a more focused approach that addresses staffing ratios, the needs of a complex population, documentation requirements, and early intervention. One is a program designed for hospitals, employers, home health, and physicians while another has been tailored to the unique needs of an SNF environment. As CMS and quality reporting becomes more important, the value of a solution that has been designed to overcome these hurdles can be difficult to ignore. In addition to telehealth consults that can be utilized at any point of care, the ability to reduce unplanned transfers while still identifying developing concerns is invaluable.

The Value Of Remote Patient Monitoring To Facilities And Residents

Fewer nighttime transfers or interventions mean nurses can focus on other aspects of resident care. A reduction in rehospitalizations means families can be reassured that their loved ones are receiving quality care, and the facility can save the cost of the transfer as well as potential penalties if the readmission was within 30 days. Tapestry management services takes much of the burden off of the staff by providing a remote patient monitoring system that is already set up to reduce unnecessary interventions. Devices are maintained and alerts are filtered before they reach the care team. Reports are generated in a manner that is compatible with QAPI and survey readiness. The short answer is that it is less work and much more valuable than most solutions on the market.

What To Avoid When Choosing A Remote Patient Monitoring Provider

Many remote patient monitoring companies snf buyers consider have a strong sales presentation, but run into issues once the program is launched. Devices may constantly require support and troubleshooting. The information may not integrate correctly into the EHR or other systems. The number of irrelevant alerts outweighs the number of actual concerns. Staff burnout is a real concern when facilities add unneeded programs or requirements. Teladoc remote patient monitoring can fall into many of these pitfalls if the site is not prepared with the correct infrastructure or support. The most successful programs are those that have built in clinical oversight, staff training, and device maintenance. Anything less is simply another task for overburdened employees.

The Future Of Remote Patient Monitoring In Long Term Care

CMS is continuing to pay close attention to readmission rates and quality reporting. Skilled nursing is seeing staffing concerns at all levels. Remote patient monitoring that has been designed with these obstacles in mind will only become more valuable as the industry searches for ways to reduce costs and improve outcomes. Radar technology and passive monitoring reduce the barriers to adoption. Predictive analytics provide the time needed to make adjustments before a crisis occurs. Partnerships that include clinical oversight help to bridge the gap between what is happening and what can be done. Facilities that are looking to truly impact their performance in these areas would be well served to select a remote patient monitoring partner that understands the industry.

The Benefits Of Adopting Remote Patient Monitoring For Skilled Nursing Facilities

Operators looking to begin this process do not need to immediately scale to all residents. Some facilities begin with those who are closer to discharge or have a history of hospitalization or conditions such as heart failure or COPD. The process is simplified without overextending staff. Proper training is essential, and many remote patient monitoring companies SNF teams work with providers to gradually introduce a new program. The goal is always to reduce the risks to the residents by identifying trends and concerns earlier, as well as reducing the need to transfer a resident back to the hospital. Tapestry management services works with facilities to ensure that the program is implemented in a way that causes as few disruptions as possible. Consistent data is gathered and then examined by clinicians to determine what actions need to be taken.

The Most Important Considerations For Skilled Nursing Facilities

Teladoc remote patient monitoring serves a valid role in the larger healthcare space, but most operators would benefit from learning more about solutions that have been created by those in similar industries. Remote patient monitoring companies snf operators looking to reduce costs and increase quality of care should request demonstrations of contactless technology, EHR integration, reduced alert fatigue, and clinical oversight. Tapestry management services has developed products that meet all of these criteria and can be utilized to reduce the impact on staff, unnecessary interventions, and unplanned transfers or readmissions. Please visit our website, TapestryHealth, to learn more about how we can tailor a program to your specific needs.

FAQ

What makes Teladoc remote patient monitoring different from SNF specific options?

Teladoc has focused more on chronic care management solutions and virtual health, while SNF specific programs have been developed to meet the needs of skilled nursing.

How do remote patient monitoring companies snf teams evaluate help reduce readmissions?

Subtle variations in vitals that may be seen days before a hospitalization can be highlighted through remote patient monitoring. Early intervention can prevent many readmissions and prevent residents from being transferred back to the hospital.

Can tapestry management services work alongside existing EHR systems?

Tapestry management services has been built to work with existing PointClickCare or other EHR systems in order to reduce documentation and reporting requirements.

Is remote patient monitoring billable for skilled nursing residents?

Remote patient monitoring services can qualify for billing under Medicare guidelines, as long as the requirements for CPT coding and reimbursement are followed.

What should a facility look for in a remote patient monitoring partner?

Contactless technology, reduced alerts, clinical support, and quality outcomes in a post-acute care setting are more important than the name of the provider.