“Do what you do best and outsource the rest,” was a popular tagline coined by famed consultant Peter Drucker. Originally stated in the 1990s, the slogan remains ever relevant today. It’s a viable business strategy for hospitals anywhere when it comes to remote patient monitoring.
Hospitals have always been concerned about their bottom lines. Today, however, the concern has reached new levels while patients look for more convenience, services and empowerment – and as hospitals receive penalties for recurring readmissions.
Remote monitoring is here to stay. It’s a real driver for hospitals to become more effective and save money, so it cannot be overlooked. The question remains how hospitals can employ it quickly and efficiently.
Remote Patient Monitoring Demand
Remote monitoring enables patients to access healthcare inside their home. With cases involving chronic disease management, conditions may improve because it prevents complications, minimizes personal costs and saves time going to-and-from appointments. Elderly patients are more adept at new technology than most common stereotypes make them out to be, and most everyone wants personalized and convenient services.
For hospitals, remote monitoring lowers hospital readmissions, emergency room visits and reduces the length of stays. The result is modernized healthcare and increased hospital revenue by fitting in more daily appointments than ever before.
Other Areas of Hospital Outsourcing
Hospitals have always successfully outsourced support areas like housekeeping, food service and laundry, all of which are outside their core capabilities and, as such, consistent with Drucker’s view. However, there are other areas besides remote patient monitoring that have been embraced as of late. Some areas include information technology, which has a large focus on data collection. Clinical services like emergency departments, dialysis services and anesthesia are also being outsourced more.
Future of Remote Patient Monitoring
With the pandemic remaining a long-term reality, remote patient monitoring will remain an outsourcing certainty. Patients expect it, whether middle or older aged, and most certainly demanded by a newer generation. Doctors know it’s crucial to a long-term physician-patient relationship.
Although the technology has existed for several years, many physicians are only beginning to support its capability. With IT personnel stretched thin, the natural response is to allow experts like Avery Telehealth to employ proven systems that work. Clearly, the advantages of outsourcing have never been greater, and hospitals are wise to embrace it.
