Expanding the Use of Remote Patient Monitoring to Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions

Project Summary

To reduce readmissions by utilizing remote patient monitoring technologies on a wider patient population (those with multiple chronic conditions).

Technology

Remote Patient Monitoring Technology

Targeted Locations

San Diego, CA

12-Month Goals

• Reduce 30 day unplanned readmit rates by 30% during the grant term among senior patients.
• Reduce direct costs associated with readmissions by 30% among senior patients, clinically related acute care readmits.
• Improve coordination of care between hospital and physician office (the primary opportunity for preventing unnecessary hospital admissions).
• Improve the quality of life for patients managing multiple co-morbidities by keeping them well managed in the home setting.
• Increase hospital and emergency room capacity for the community by providing effective care for chronic care patients in the community care model.

Older Adult Population

1st year: 80-120 patients in Sharp’s senior population (65+) with multiple co-morbidities (HF, COPD, PAD, ASHD, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease).
5th year: 500 - 600 patients.

Setting/Provider Type

Patient homes and Sharp HealthCare clinicians.

Measurable Outcomes

Medical service use (e.g. Total admissions, readmissions); cost of medical care (hospital costs, medical group costs, system costs); caregiver burden; clinical measures; patient behaviors (e.g. Compliance using remote monitoring technologies; medication adherence, primary/specialty physician follow up, drugs), and mortality.

Replication, Dissemination Plan

Knowledge management, specifically sharing best practices and lessons learned with other organizations, is a cultural norm at Sharp HealthCare. Additionally, the probable CMS reimbursement changes are an added incentive to invest in RPM.

Sustainability Plan

Sharp has demonstrated reducing costs, admissions, and overall bed days utilizing RPM for CHF patients. The financial savings (cost avoidance) of the technology is significantly greater than the cost to implement and maintain the program. The proposed program will provide the opportunity to realize continued financial benefits by serving a broader population, and serve as a strategy in dealing with unplanned hospital readmissions.

Funding Request

$100,000

Matching Funds

$200,000