Most RPM companies understand that physician practices, hospitals, and most importantly patients, prefer cellular devices over Bluetooth because of their simplicity. However, simplicity doesn’t mean that all cellular devices are the same. Cellular selection may be more limited than Bluetooth, but it’s important to ask several key questions when selecting a device supplier.
Many cellular devices only work on a single network. Even the most robust networks have dead zones and some patients that need RPM live in rural areas. Their lack of access to primary care physicians makes these patients the perfect candidates for RPM but they are also most likely to live in a dead zone.
Look for cellular devices that have multi-network availability. If a device can work on the Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile network, it will benefit from overlapping coverage maps and have far fewer dead zones. A multi-network device automatically switches to the network with the best coverage and will have better international coverage.
Cellular simplicity means plug-and-go with no setup. When a device stops working for any reason, including low battery, many patients may stop using it. The lack of readings could go undetected until a monitoring clinician proactively checks in on them. In addition, for some patients on a fixed budget, the cost of replacement batteries can be an issue. The longer battery life a device has, the better for ongoing adherence.
RPM is only effective if the readings are accurate. The device should pass the standards for clinical accuracy on a range of patients, including below and above-average weight and size patients. The FDA does not test device accuracy, so most devices are self-certified.
In addition, accuracy issues can be caused during manufacturing and may only impact a certain batch or lot of devices. These defects are difficult to detect unless you have a comprehensive quality control process, including an expert testing a random sample from each production run. Ask each potential device provider exactly how they ensure clinical accuracy.
HIPAA is designed to protect personal health data, but it is still extremely valuable to hackers. Everyone in the device supply chain must take HIPAA regulations seriously. Any supplier that touches personal health information (PHI) must sign a BAA.
Unfortunately, some suppliers are willing to take shortcuts and may overrepresent their level of security. Ask about HIPAA compliance as well as credential service, compliant with Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2. If your suppliers are using offshore subcontractors to develop software, it’s important to dig even deeper and ensure these companies are following U.S. privacy and security laws.
The best devices still need to be integrated seamlessly into your process. Getting devices into the patient's hands is the all-important final step and that needs to be as easy as possible. You and your clients should be able to focus on the clinical interface and effectively manage RPM patients, not device management.
Your device supplier should have software that makes everything from ordering and activation to ongoing support efficient and effective. The best software will have self-service options for clients to order and manage devices rather than waiting for a customer success manager to provide an order status or update on a specific device issue.
Historically, RPM companies have faced limited options when selecting cellular devices. Fortunately, as the industry has seen the importance of providing cellular devices to patients, more options have come onto the market. RPM companies now have more choices and the ability to shop around to find the right device supplier.
Continua Systems offers high-quality, multi-network device options with a complete device operations platform to make device management easier than ever. Contact us to learn more.