How Remote Patient Monitoring Can Help Manage Chronic Kidney Disease
Dr Josh
February 8, 2022
Remote patient Monitoring
Telehealth is not without its limitations and challenges, in addition to the numerous benefits. However, when undertaken aptly with the right technologies and tools, it can be a great source of comfort for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Remote kidney patient monitoring can benefit people at all chronic kidney disease stages, even those on home dialysis. Telehealth aims at making life easier for those who would otherwise have to take up great pains to see a nephrologist. Let us delve into how remote patient monitoring can be used to manage chronic kidney disease.
What is Remote Kidney Patient Monitoring?
Virtual kidney patient monitoring is a distribution of telehealth and involves administering kidney-related health services and information through telecommunication technologies and electronic data. It allows long-distance patients to contact nephrologists without any hassle and attain care, reminders, advice, education, monitoring, intervention, and even remote admissions.
Although RPM kidney services are not as popular as other telemedicine branches, patients with chronic kidney diseases who receive treatment via video-based telemedicine have comparable clinical outcomes, improved efficiencies, and comparatively fewer emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalizations to orthodox consultations.
How can you manage chronic kidney disease via remote kidney patient monitoring?
Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease face several difficulties in hospital visits, especially those living in rural communities who travel long distances for treatment or routine check-ups. This endeavor is not only expensive but also time-consuming and arduous for chronically ill patients. RPM kidney services can lift a great deal of this burden. Telehealth services offered to people with CKD can help manage this disease in the following ways:
Initial nephrology consultations
Diagnosis of chronic kidney disease can be a protracted process that involves extensive imaging tests, lab tests, physical examinations, and an assessment of CKD risk factors. Remote patient monitoring also allows healthcare providers to review the test results virtually once compiled, formulate a diagnosis, and chalk out a treatment plan without the need for in-person consultations.
Virtual glucose monitoring
Patients with CKD require continuous glucose monitoring as it is crucial to determine how efficiently the kidneys filter creatinine and other waste products. Since several patients with chronic kidney disease undergo dialysis, continuous glucose testing is also vital to test the efficiency of this procedure. Several wearable glucose monitoring devices are readily available to measure glucose and hemoglobin A1C. These devices transmit the results to telehealth providers either live or asynchronously.
Virtual blood pressure monitoring
One major cause of CKD is hypertension (high blood pressure), usually seen in patients of different chronic kidney disease stages. Just like blood glucose, persistent blood pressure monitoring is central to managing the disease. Several wearable blood pressure monitoring tools are available which can be attached to a mobile device to deliver real-time readings to healthcare providers.
Follow up tests and visits
Remote patient monitoring software allows patients to get their follow-up imaging tests or blood work performed locally, which are then compiled and reviewed virtually during consultation. These findings eliminate the need for a hands-on exam by reviewing the symptoms, which often provides enough evidence to change the treatment if required.
Virtual lifestyle management and support
Managing the symptoms of chronic kidney disease is not an easy endeavor: it requires extensive lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation and weight loss. Continuous deterioration in kidney function is often addressed through dietary changes, and telehealth enables other healthcare providers such as counselors and dietitians to partake in holistic management of kidney disease without subjecting a patient to frequent hospital visits.
Detection of kidney cancer
Although an oncologist typically oversees the treatment of kidney cancer, a nephrologist can play a significant role in its detection by monitoring the symptoms of chronic kidney disease. Telehealth is an ideal way of ensuring coordination and interaction amongst multiple care providers, and nephrologists can participate in treatment decisions by monitoring renal function and optimizing blood pressure.
Related: Remote Patient Monitoring: What You Need to Know
SmartClinix offers an innovative and seamless telemedicine platform for easier remote patient monitoring and allows medical professionals to grow their practice, increase revenue, and boost patient compliance and retention at the lowest possible cost.
SmartClinix aims to revolutionize remote patient monitoring with its RPM system designed to benefit both healthcare providers and patients. Patients can undertake this telemedicine system easily, making SmartClinix’s RPM experience much more desirable. Healthcare providers can also increase their patient engagement by using SmartClinix integrated Omron devices, which make RPM easier than ever. You can start your own virtual care program through RPM by becoming a part of the SmartClinix family. SmartClinix provides its revered healthcare providers with easy implementation along with technical and billing support.
The SmartClinix team enrolls patients, provides all tech and onboarding support, and ships the monitoring devices for your ease. It also monitors patients through SmartClinix integrated devices and coordinates care by providing real-time support and notifying you when needed. Although the SmartClinix team offers billing services for easy reimbursements, you can go with your own billing providers as well. Head over to SmartClinix to sign up right now!
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