Page 15 Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring RPM for Long Termand Post Acute Care A Primer and Provider Selection Guide 2013

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efforts to produce hands-on tools that help LTPAC to it, so that they can make the appropriate inter-
providers adopt appropriate aging services tech- ventions in a timely manner. With regular use of
nologies that enable them to deliver innovative care telehealth and RPM solutions and the use of data,
delivery models, position them well for strategic benchmarks can be established, and individuals can
partnerships and the future. Telehealth and RPM trend and track their readings themselves, noting
technologies were the second enabling technology when they are outside acceptable ranges.
identified in the CAST Strategic Scenario Plan-
ning exercise (please see: A Look into the Future: When evaluating technology it is important to keep
Evaluating Business Models for Technology-Enabled in mind that what helps people learn most effective-
Long-Term Services and Supports). ly differs from one person to another. Some tech-
nologies offer visual, audible and video education to
help support different learning needs and abilities.
4 PoTenTial uses of
TelehealTh and rPm 4.2 Pre- and Post-Acute Management

4.1 Patient Education and Self- of Chronic Conditions
Management Telehealth and RPM can provide a means for clini-
cians to collect vital signs and other data to fol-
Telehealth and RPM can be used as a tool to not low patients between formal interactions with the
only reinforce disease specific education but also health care system (physician office and hospital
help to instill some of the concepts required for visits). This regular tracking of vitals and daily dis-
self-management, like the importance of taking ease condition monitoring provides clinicians with
medications regularly as prescribed and implica- an opportunity to perform early intervention, such
tions of lifestyle choices, such as smoking, diet and as medication titration, that aim to improve chronic
exercise, on the individual’s vital signs and condi- disease management by attending to exacerba-
tion in general. The variety of educational materials tions, avoiding the worsening of the condition and
and delivery options available differ with telehealth preventing the disease from progressing, thereby
solutions. All patient education should consist reducing unnecessary emergency department visits,
of evidence-based care materials, recommended hospitalizations and associated costs. Similarly,
self-management best practices, and incorporate telehealth and RPM can be effective in stabilizing,
chronic care management principles to assist in following and managing individuals with chronic
providing consistent disease- or condition-specific conditions after an acute episode, e.g., emergency
education that promotes health, wellness, indepen- department, hospital or physician visit, and can
dence and safety in the home. help shorten hospital stays. Telehealth and RPM

In addition, self-management helps individuals can be used after hospital discharge to reinforce the
with chronic conditions recognize symptoms of discharge plan instructions with daily monitoring,
exacerbation of their condition and identify what to and provide individuals and their clinicians with op-
report to a provider/clinician, and when to report portunities to take steps to prevent a second exacer-
bation and avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions.

LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST)