Healthcare systems today face mounting pressures, from patient retention struggles to limited inpatient capacity and overburdened care teams. As patients gain access to a growing array of care options—both in-person and virtual—hospitals must find innovative ways to maintain their patient base while optimizing resources. One promising solution lies in leveraging cardiac data through remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies, which enable healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care beyond hospital walls.
Philips, a leader in connected care solutions, has been at the forefront of this transformation. Julia Strandberg, Chief Business Leader for Connected Care at Philips, recently shared insights on how RPM technologies can help hospitals overcome clinical challenges, improve patient retention, and address capacity constraints.
The Patient Retention Challenge
Patient retention is a critical issue for healthcare systems. Patients today expect seamless, high-quality care both inside and outside the hospital. During hospital stays, they demand efficient, effective treatment. After discharge, they want to remain engaged in their care, receiving timely updates and clear guidance on next steps.
However, staffing shortages and fragmented data systems often lead to delays in care and longer wait times. Strandberg emphasizes that siloed data creates additional hurdles, as clinicians struggle to gain a comprehensive view of a patient’s health. This can result in unnecessary tests, specialty referrals, and increased costs—all of which contribute to patient dissatisfaction and stress.
To address these challenges, Strandberg advocates for greater interoperability across systems and devices. By enabling seamless data access, healthcare providers can streamline workflows, reduce administrative burdens, and focus more on delivering personalized, timely care—whether in-person or remotely.
Capacity Constraints and Staff Burnout
Hospitals nationwide are grappling with overwhelming patient volumes and staffing shortages, issues exacerbated by an aging population and the increasing complexity of patient conditions. These challenges not only strain healthcare professionals but also impact patient safety and satisfaction.
A significant portion of clinicians’ time is spent on administrative tasks, such as compiling patient data and managing schedules. According to Strandberg, nearly 40% of healthcare leaders report that staff lose valuable time organizing patient information, leaving less time for direct care. Nurses, for example, spend 15 to 20 minutes per hour on administrative duties, diverting attention from patients who need their expertise.
To alleviate these pressures, Strandberg highlights the importance of open, interoperable systems that transform vast amounts of clinical data into actionable insights. By collaborating with technology providers, healthcare systems can co-create solutions that enhance care pathways, reduce costs, and ease the burden on staff.
The Role of Cardiac Data and RPM Technologies
Remote patient monitoring, particularly for cardiac care, offers a powerful tool to address these challenges. RPM technologies, combined with advanced data analytics, can reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, ease capacity constraints, and improve patient outcomes.
For instance, consider a patient who visits the emergency department after a fainting episode. Traditionally, such a patient might be admitted for observation. With RPM, however, they can be sent home with a mobile cardiac telemetry device that monitors their heart rhythms in real time. Data is shared with their care team, allowing their cardiologist to review the information before their follow-up appointment. This approach accelerates diagnosis and treatment while freeing up hospital resources for more acute cases.
By reducing overcrowding and enabling patients to recover at home, RPM technologies not only enhance patient satisfaction but also alleviate strain on healthcare facilities.
Accelerating Adoption of RPM Technologies
For RPM to gain widespread adoption, Strandberg stresses the need for an industry-wide mindset shift. Healthcare systems must recognize the evolving care delivery model, which increasingly extends beyond hospital walls. Home-based care technologies have already demonstrated their ability to improve outcomes, shorten hospital stays, and reduce facility strain.
To fully realize the potential of RPM, hospitals must partner with technology vendors that prioritize interoperability. Access to high-quality, real-time patient data is essential for delivering efficient, effective care. Moreover, a strong foundation of interoperability paves the way for AI-driven insights, empowering clinicians to make informed decisions and improve outcomes across the care continuum.
The Path Forward
As healthcare systems navigate the challenges of patient retention and capacity constraints, RPM technologies offer a promising solution. By leveraging cardiac data and embracing interoperable systems, hospitals can enhance care delivery, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction. The future of healthcare lies in extending high-quality care beyond the hospital—and RPM is a critical step in that direction.
