Implementation of a multisite, interdisciplinary remote patient monitoring program for ambulatory management of patients with COVID-19

Coffey, Jordan D.; Christopherson, Laura A.; Glasgow, Amy E.; Pearson, Kristina K.; Brown, Julie K.; Gathje, Shelby R.; Sangaralingham, Lindsey R.; Carmona Porquera, Eva M.; Virk, Abinash; Orenstein, Robert; Speicher, Leigh L.; Bierle, Dennis M.; Ganesh, Ravindra; Cox, Debra L.; Blegen, R. Nicole; Haddad, Tufia C.

Established technology, operational infrastructure, and nursing resources were leveraged to develop a remote patient monitoring (RPM) program for ambulatory management of patients with COVID-19. The program included two care-delivery models with different monitoring capabilities supporting variable levels of patient risk for severe illness. The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and safety of a multisite RPM program for management of acute COVID-19 illness. We report an evaluation of 7074 patients served by the program across 41 US states. Among all patients, the RPM technology engagement rate was 78.9%. Rates of emergency department visit and hospitalization within 30 days of enrollment were 11.4% and 9.4%, respectively, and the 30-day mortality rate was 0.4%. A multisite RPM program for management of acute COVID-19 illness is feasible, safe, and associated with a low mortality rate. Further research and expansion of RPM programs for ambulatory management of other acute illnesses are warranted.