Even though the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency was ended on May 11, 2023 there are still many people battling the effects of Long COVID. Because of this, Managing Long COVID with Remote Patient Monitoring is a topic worthy of discussion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the definition of long COVID is lingering symptoms lasting longer than one month. While many people who contract COVID do not experience lasting side effects, it can be a very challenging time for those who do develop long-term symptoms. Remote Patient Monitoring can help these patients by allowing them to track their symptoms and progress over time.
RPM and CCM can assist in the diagnosis of Long Covid
There are currently no diagnostic tests for long COVID, which can make it difficult to manage. However, there are physical symptoms that have been associated with long COVID. These include fatigue, dizziness, inability to regulate body temperature, difficulty concentrating, chest pain, shortness of breath, and others. In addition to these physical symptoms, mental health side effects of long COVID can be isolation, disconnected from the everyday world, feeling as if life is moving on without you, and feeling unnoticed or invisible.
Care management services such as remote patient monitoring (RPM) and chronic care management (CCM) are valuable tools to identify patients that are at rising risk and deliver timely patient care. RPM is the use of technology to collect patient-generated health data outside of a traditional clinical visit. Patients can also utilize their own at-home meters and report this information through automated texts or calls. The data can be used to manage care, provide education and support, and make treatment decisions. For patients with long COVID, RPM and CCM can help track objective and subjective symptoms over time and identify early signs of deterioration for early intervention.
Benefits of Managing Long COVID with Remote Patient Monitoring
There are many benefits to using Remote Patient Monitoring in the treatment of long COVID. These are just a few examples.
- Remote Patient Monitoring can help doctors and nurses to better assess and treat patients with long COVID
- Remote Patient Monitoring can help to reduce the number of hospital visits for patients with long COVID
- Remote Patient Monitoring can help to improve patient outcomes for patients with long COVID
For example, monitoring patients with a pulse oximeter and a blood pressure monitor can help identify pulmonary issues, abnormal blood pressure, bradycardia, and tachycardia early and help manage them appropriately. Additionally, patients that are feeling isolated can be provided with coping mechanisms and resources to improve their mental health. RPM and CCM can also provide support for caretakers of patients with long COVID.
As is always the case, the use of Remote Patient Monitoring reduced the need for visits to the provider's office or the hospital. This is important because it can help to free up resources for other patients who need them more urgently. Remote Patient Monitoring can also help to improve communication between patients and their care team. This is important because it can help ensure that patients get the best possible care.
Additional Resources for the treatment of long COVID
If you or someone you know is struggling with long COVID, the U.S. Library of Congress has included Survivorcorps.com as a robust source for educating patients, families, and caregivers. In addition, the National Institute of Health created the RECOVER initiative to study the long-term side effects of COVID. Finally, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, long COVID can be considered a disability.
If you are a medical professional treating patients with long COVID, consider using Remote Patient Monitoring as part of your treatment plan. It is a safe and effective way to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital visits. If you are a provider that is interested in starting RPM or CCM services, please reach out to us. We would be happy to discuss how we can help you get started.
Please note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your doctor or healthcare provider. Remote patient monitoring should not be used in place of regular medical care. Always follow your doctor's instructions.