Enhancing Diabetic Care through Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) for Both Patients and Providers

Diabetes is a global health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 463 million people were living with diabetes in 2019, and this number is expected to rise to 700 million by 2045. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death worldwide and is responsible for 2.2 million deaths yearly.

In addition to being a leading cause of death, diabetes also causes various debilitating complications, including heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and amputations, which can significantly impact the quality of life.

The WHO and other international organizations are actively working to raise awareness of diabetes, promote preventative measures and improve access to diabetes care worldwide.

It is important to note that diabetes can be preventable and manageable with lifestyle changes and appropriate care.

How to Take Care of Diabetes? 

People with diabetes should have regular check-ups with their healthcare provider to monitor diabetes management, address complications, and adjust treatment plans as needed. There are several ways to take care of diabetes and manage the condition:

1. Diet And Nutrition: Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is important for managing blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should eat a diet low in saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium and high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
2. Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can help lower blood sugar levels and improve overall health. Aim to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, for a minimum of 30 minutes on most days of the week.
3. Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels: Monitoring blood sugar levels is important in managing diabetes. People with diabetes should work with their healthcare provider to determine the appropriate schedule for monitoring their blood sugar levels and learn how to use a glucose meter properly.
4. Medications: Depending on the type of diabetes and individual needs, medications such as insulin, metformin, and sulfonylureas may be prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels.
5. Regular Check-Ups: People with diabetes should have regular check-ups with their healthcare provider to monitor diabetes management, address complications, and adjust treatment plans as needed.
6. Foot Care: Diabetes can affect the feet, so it is important to check the feet regularly for any cuts, blisters, or sores and to keep them clean and dry.

Working closely with a healthcare provider to develop an individualized treatment plan that works for you is important.

In addition to these lifestyle and management strategies, it’s also important for people with diabetes to be aware of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and take quick action if they experience these symptoms.

What is RPM?

RPM, or remote patient monitoring, is a technology to collect and transmits health data from patients in their homes to healthcare providers. This allows providers to manage better chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure, remotely monitoring patients’ vital signs and symptoms.

This allows providers to better manage diabetes by remotely monitoring patients’ blood sugar levels, insulin usage, and other vital signs.

Some examples of RPM technology used in diabetes management include:

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems use a sensor inserted under the skin to measure blood sugar levels every few minutes.

• Insulin pumps can be controlled remotely by healthcare providers to adjust insulin dosage.
• Smartphone apps that allow patients to track their blood sugar levels, insulin usage, and other relevant health information.

How to Use RPM in Diabetes Treatment?

The goal of using RPM in diabetes is to improve diabetes management by providing more frequent, accurate, and actionable data for healthcare providers to use to adjust treatment plans, identify potential issues, and make decisions on how to approach diabetes management. It also gives patients a more active role in their care and self-management by giving them more visibility on their glucose levels and insulin usage.

The following steps can be taken to use RPM for chronic care management,

1. Choose the appropriate technology and equipment for the patient’s specific needs and preferences.
2. Train patients and their caregivers on how to use the technology.
3. Establish protocols for monitoring and responding to patients’ health data.
4. Regularly review and act on the data received to adjust treatment plans.
5. Communicate with patients and other healthcare providers to coordinate care.

It is important to note that RPM is not a standalone solution and should be used with traditional in-person visits and care.

Benefits Of Using RPM In Diabetes

There are several benefits of using remote patient monitoring (RPM) in diabetes:

1. Improved Diabetes Management: RPM allows healthcare providers to frequently and accurately monitor blood sugar levels and other vital signs, leading to more effective treatment plans and better management of the condition.
2. Increased Patient Engagement: RPM empowers patients to take a more active role in their care by giving them more visibility into their diabetes management. It also allows patients to share their data with their healthcare providers, leading to better communication and care coordination.
3. Reduced Healthcare Costs: By allowing for more efficient and effective diabetes management, RPM can reduce the need for hospitalization and other expensive healthcare interventions.
4. Increased Access To Care: Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) enables remote monitoring of patients, thus providing access to healthcare for individuals living in remote or under-served regions.
5. Reduced Complications And Hospitalization: With RPM, healthcare providers can detect and address issues early, reducing the risk of complications and hospitalization.
6. Improved Quality Of Life: RPM allows patients to have more control over their diabetes management, leading to improved quality of life for people with diabetes.

How RPM Reduces the Cost in Diabetes and Health Care

Diabetes remote patient monitoring (RPM) can reduce the cost of healthcare in several ways:

1. Fewer Hospitalizations: By allowing healthcare providers to more effectively manage diabetes and other chronic conditions, RPM can reduce the need for hospitalization.
2. Reduced Emergency Department Visits: RPM allows healthcare providers to detect and address issues early, which can reduce the need for emergency department visits.
3. Reduced Office Visits: RPM allows patients to be monitored remotely, which can reduce the need for office visits. This can save patients time and money and reduce healthcare providers’ burden.
4. Improved Care Coordination: RPM can improve communication between healthcare providers and patients, leading to more efficient care and fewer unnecessary interventions.
5. Increased Patient Satisfaction: RPM allows patients to take a more active role in their care, leading to increased satisfaction with their healthcare experience.
6. Reduced Complications: RPM allows healthcare providers to detect and address issues early, which can reduce the risk of complications and long-term healthcare costs.

It is important to note that while RPM can reduce healthcare costs in the long term, there may be initial costs associated with implementing and maintaining the technology.

Why Choose Health Wealth Safe for Diabetes Remote Patient Monitoring?

Monitoring your health activities and setting daily objectives helps you to stay on course to achieve optimal wellness. The more information you have about your health, the more informed decisions you can make regarding your lifestyle habits.

Health Wealth Safe is the patient’s first choice regarding regular monitoring of chronic diseases like diabetes and BP. Health Wealth Safe provides dedicated teams available 24/7 to assist patients and physicians in staying connected to their health.

RPM tool by Health Wealth Safe stores all your health records in one place, it also allows you to add members to your healthcare team. It may be your spouse, best friend or anyone you trust the most. 

Take control of your health today! Download the Health Wealth Safe app to track your daily goals and monitor your health activities. Don’t wait; make informed decisions about your habits and take the first step toward optimal wellness!