Why Device Management Matters

When RPM companies develop and update their software, they are typically focused on clinical operations. How do I collect, analyze, and interpret readings to provide the best clinical care possible? And ensure that I am documenting care correctly for financial reimbursement. This is what healthcare providers using RPM care about the most, so investing in those aspects of the platform makes perfect sense.

However, before you can provide RPM care to a patient, they must have a device. And the “back-office” of device operations can be more difficult than many RPM companies expect.

Most RPM companies have chosen to focus on offering cellular devices as patients typically prefer the simplicity of cellular. Historically, there have been limited options for cellular devices and RPM companies had to manage multiple vendors to find the different types of devices that they want in cellular options. Every aspect of device management becomes exponentially more complicated if you are managing multiple vendors and integrating multiple device processes into your systems.

Device quality and security

Different device manufacturers and suppliers will likely have different processes for testing clinical accuracy. Many will determine a device is clinically accurate but fail to inspect every batch of devices for manufacturing defects. Without a strong quality assurance process, you can have hundreds of devices work smoothly, only to have a handful of the same device provide accuracy problems for patients months later.

Most RPM companies aren’t equipped or staffed to develop in-house quality assurance teams to test every batch of hardware.

Another important component of quality is security. Cellular devices are subject to cyberattacks that could jeopardize patient safety and lead to HIPAA violations. Cellular device partners must use closed systems and implement medical-grade, certificate-based authentication and security.

Integrating with your RPM processes

Devices are typically provided to patients in one of two ways:

1. During an office visit
2. Shipped directly to the patient’s home

The most successful RPM programs tend to employ both methods to support as many patients as possible. Some patients don’t want to go to the office just to pick up a device. Others may never start using a device without an in-person onboarding appointment.

Most RPM companies don’t have the software or logistics expertise to manage drop-shipping to patient homes. They rely on their device vendors to provide these services. If different vendors offer different services, you could be supporting different workflows for different devices, which can be cumbersome for both your staff and your clients.

The power of a device management platform

A single software platform with a single API that can manage all your devices can help onboard patients faster and more efficiently. Monitoring teams should be focused on clinical care not managing device IDs and troubleshooting device issues.

A device operations portal can help your team seamlessly order and manage all devices for all patients, including:

• Understanding device inventory 
• Placing orders for bulk shipping or drop shipping to patients
• Checking shipping status (to offices or patient homes)
• Activating devices
• Managing device connectivity
• Performing insurance verification checks
• Quickly identifying at-risk devices
• Analyzing patient onboarding statistics 

A single API makes integration easy so you can ship devices faster and scale quickly. A better patient onboarding process means increased patient engagement and retention which ultimately leads to better clinical care and improved financial results.

Ready for simple device operations?

Continua Systems can handle every step of your backend device operations. Great device operations leads to happy patients and fewer headaches. Contact us to learn more about our device management platform.