Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are using remote patient monitoring (RPM) technology as an early symptom management tool to remotely monitor and manage high-risk chronically ill patients, according to a new study by Spyglass Consulting Group.

When RPM technology is used within the context of a disease management and care coordination program it has been shown to reduce the risk of hospital readmissions, control healthcare delivery costs, and increase access to care.

The majority of hospitals and health systems interviewed has become, or were in the process of becoming, ACOs; 55 percent of them have deployed, or are evaluating RPM technology to address issues such as:

• stringent penalties focused on excessive readmissions of Medicare patients,
•  value-based financial incentives focused on chronic disease management and care coordination, and
•  new patient-centered care models focused on patients taking a more active role in managing their health.

However, the study found that 71 percent of organizations interviewed expressed concerns about integrating RPM technology with existing clinical care processes and clinical information systems including their electronic medical record (EMR).

Additionally, 58 percent of organizations interviewed expressed concern that RPM technology does not provide adequate support for clinical analytics and decision support tools, which allow them to turn raw patient data into actionable knowledge and insights based on evidence-based medicine. And more than 50 percent of organizations interviewed questioned the clinical effectiveness of RPM technology and their ability to generate a positive return on investment.