Mobile telemetry has emerged as the preferred way of monitoring the vital signs of patients as it has been established that it has a number of benefits. It is possible to obtain a number of diagnostic outcomes using monitoring devices that use wireless telemetry such as the Holter or Event monitor. Mobile telemetry has become popular as it can be used to monitor critically ill patients without requiring doctors to be physically present in the proximity of the patient at all times. With the help of diagnostics that can be transmitted and interpreted in real-time; doctors can now monitor a number of patients remotely resulting in lesser number of doctors being required by the medical facility and thus the technology is instrumental in substantial cost-savings.
Table of Contents
Mobile Telemetry – Best Way of Monitoring Patients
Processes and Materials
Research has proven that mobile telemetry can be used to control the diagnostic tests being performed on patients. This is achieved through the deployment of various technologies such as pre and post-testing methodology for control so as to ensure that patients are tested according to various laid out criteria such as age, cardio vascular status, and geographical location.
The Telemetry Process
Remote telemetry relies upon the attachment of small sensors for monitoring patients. In case any cardiac event occurs, the telemetry device can immediately take care of the transfer of the patient data from the medical center or hospital to experts so that it can be analyzed and an appropriate response obtained. After conclusion of the analysis, the physicians attending to the patient send the reports in graphical form. With the help of these reports the doctors can advise relevant medical therapy to be commenced.
The Portability Advantage
It is very easy to set up remote telemetry with Holter and Event Monitors as the devices are completely portable and quite small. The Holter monitor records the patient echocardiogram for a period of around 24-48 hours, while the Event monitor’s recording capability extends to as many as 30 days.
How Is the Process Beneficial?
A number of different studies have been undertaken to establish the extent of success of mobile telemetry. It has been proven beyond any doubt that the process is extremely effective in monitoring patient health and consequently the remote telemetry system is being fast adopted by hospitals, health centers, and clinical labs to substantially elevate the level of patient care.
Analysis of Benefits
In the first analysis that was done to study the diagnostic outcome, the patient was required to meet a number of conditions that include the use of a cardiac device such as the Event monitor or Holter monitor. After the launch of the database, the monitoring device is required to be installed both pre and post 12 months before any conclusions can be arrived at. There should not have been any International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes before the monitoring device use has been initiated. The same assumptions are required to be maintained with the patients before and after the device have been used.
The second analysis is regarding the management of drugs. Although very much like the first analysis, there are several conditions that patients need to meet. A single monitoring device such as the Event monitor or the Holter monitor must have been used, but not both simultaneously and no anti-arrhythmic drug should have been used by the patients before the monitoring device use. The test must be carried out on a patient sample group where drugs had been used before the use of monitoring devices and the same group should be studied after they have used the remote telemetry system.
Analysis for Cost-Savings
Hospitals wanting to know of costs that can be saved using remote telemetry, two patient groups using the Event monitor and the Holter monitor should be set up. Patients of both the groups should be on the same set of drugs and be diagnosed with the same condition such as peripheral artery disease, hypertension, acute coronary syndrome, etc. The patients should also have used various resources to compare various cardiac monitors.
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Author bio: Sam Rogers is among the pioneering mobile telemetry technicians in the country, having been associated with the process from its earliest days. 😀