The Right RPM Devices Matter – Part 1
If you are launching or growing an RPM program, the right devices are critical to RPM adoption and ongoing engagement. The right devices can make or break an RPM program as it will be challenging to get patients to try RPM for a second time if they’ve had a negative experience with their first device.
What makes a great device?
While great devices share certain characteristics, choosing the right devices does depend on the patient population of your target clients. What chronic conditions are most prevalent? Are they primarily serving older, less tech-savvy patients or digital natives?
For most practices, the answer to these questions is going to be older patients with hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, and COPD. And that makes the “right” answer cellular blood pressure devices, glucometers, weight scales, and pulse oximeters.
Specifically, for RPM companies wanting to best serve the needs of their current and target clients, they should look for devices that are:
- Easy-to-use and cellular-enabled
- Multi-network to minimize dead zones
- Have a long battery life
- Clinically validated
- Supported by a robust device management platform
Our choice for cellular blood pressure devices
With nearly half of adults in the United States having hypertension, blood pressure devices are one of the most widely used RPM devices. We recommend the Cellular Blood Pressure Monitor provided by Continua.
In addition to meeting the criteria above, this device has several attributes that make it a best-in-class device, including:
- Extended cellular range with smart retransmission when a reading does not transmit
- Easy, one-click operation
- Clinically validated by the AMA for an accuracy of ±3 mmHg for blood pressure and ±5% for pulse with triple measurement to ensure accuracy
- Clinically validated for specific populations including patients with diabetes, pregnant patients, and children aged 3+
- Battery life of 400+ hours
- Multiple cuff sizes to meet different patient populations, including small and extra-large
- Accurate in a range of conditions and climates from 5-40 degrees Celsius and humidity up to 90%
- Antimicrobial material rated 99.9%
- Latex free
- Measurement reminders
Our recommended weight scale
From a patient's perspective, an RPM weight scale should operate the same as a regular scale. Step on, see a digital reading, step off. While multiple cellular scales on the market do that, we recommend the Continua Cellular Scale.
This scale has several features that make it ideal for a range of patients:
- Lightweight – less than 5 pounds
- Anti-rollover design with larger platform to prevent slips and falls
- Measurement range up to 200kg or 441lbs
- Validated accuracy ±0.2 kg up to 50 kg, ±0.3 up to 100kg, ±0.4kg up to 150kg, ±0.5kg up to 200kg
- Encrypted data transmission with SSL certification
- Automatic power-off to extend battery life
- Accurate in a range of conditions and climates from 5-40 degrees Celsius
This scale is easy for patients to use and accurate which makes it a great choice for any RPM program.
The right device + the right device platform
The right devices need the right platform. Your RPM team should be focused on clients and patients, not device operations. Continua makes it easy to get the right devices with the right device support. Contact us to learn more and stay tuned for Part 2 to find out about the best glucometer and pulse oximeter available.
