Hi! My name is Ali Dean and I’m the Chief Care Officer at New Horizons. I’d like to talk to you today about Remote Patient Monitoring: a simple technology solution that lets us care for you by remotely reviewing your blood pressure, pulse, weight and breathing.
Let me show you how this works:
Everyone receives a tablet with the remote patient monitoring software pre-loaded. We can also download your favorite apps and games for you, too.
Then you will receive one or all of the remote monitoring devices depending on your needs. This is the blood pressure monitor, which checks your blood pressure. This is the pulse oximeter, which checks your oxygen saturation, and this is the weight scale that measures your body weight. You can also check your blood sugar using your own glucose meter and your temperature using your own thermometer.
I’ll demonstrate the pulse oximeter. You take it out of the box, press the white button to turn it on, and then place it on your index finger. In a few seconds, you can see your heart rate and oxygen saturation on the device (shows the reading). Then, the readings are immediately sent to this tablet (shows the tablet). And you just click “Yes” to accept the reading. It’s as simple as that! The results are viewed instantly by the Care Coordinators and Nurses in the New Horizons office.
Next, I’ll show you the blood pressure monitor. I’m just going to slip the cuff on my arm, pull the velcro strap to tighten it until I can just get two fingers underneath the cuff, and then rest my arm on a flat surface. Then, I just hit start and the cuff will begin to inflate. Now, I just sit quietly with my feet flat on the floor until the monitor displays my blood pressure and heart rate. Then, I can take off the cuff. I’ll go back to my tablet now and click “Yes” to accept the reading.
Finally, here is the weight scale. I simply place it on a hard surface like the bathroom floor, step on to it with both feet, remain still until my weight flashes on the screen, and then step off. Again, I’ll click “yes” on the tablet to accept my reading.
Now, on our provider dashboard, your New Horizons care team can see your data (shows test patient dashboard). If the readings are outside of the normal range for you, a red flag, like this (points to red flag on dashboard) will be generated and you or a designated family member will receive a call from the care team to triage your condition and coordinate any necessary next steps like scheduling a visit with a nurse or your doctor, updating your care plan or reviewing your medication.
What’s most important about all of this is that consistent monitoring increases your ability to stay at home and empowers you to better self-manage your health conditions. It’s a proven low-cost way to improve health, minimize trips to the emergency room, and reduce hospitalizations. In other words, we help you live a healthier and happier life at home.
