Use of remote monitoring to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure: A pilot trial

Abstract

Remote monitoring (RM) of homebound heart failure (HF) patients has previously been shown to reduce hospital admissions. We conducted a pilot trial of ambulatory, non-homebound patients recently hospitalized for HF to determine whether RM could be successfully implemented in the ambulatory setting. Eligible patients from Massachusetts General Hospital (n=150) were randomized to a control group (n=68) or to a group that was offered RM (n=82). The participants transmitted vital signs data to a nurse who coordinated care with the physician over the course of the 6-month study. Participants in the RM program had a lower all-cause per person readmission rate (mean=0.64, SD±0.87) compared to the usual care group (mean=0.73, SD±1.51; P -value=.75) although the difference was not statistically significant. HF-related readmission rate was similarly reduced in participants. This pilot study demonstrates that RM can be successfully implemented in non-homebound HF patients and may reduce readmission rates. © 2010 Ambar Kulshreshtha et al.