How Remote Monitoring of Chronic Conditions Can Help Your Business

Around-the-clock chronic disease management support can improve employee health, lower costs and increase productivity.

More than 40% of the U.S. population suffer from chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and COPD. Heart failure and hypertension are on the rise. The economic implications of these conditions — in both direct health care costs and lost productivity — range in the trillions of dollars. No business or industry escapes the impact.

New strategies and approaches are needed to address these health concerns and stay on top of the needs of your workforce. You need a trusted partner who can provide innovative solutions, so you can focus on running your business.

OSF OnCall is the partner you need. We offer a variety of digital health options and technologies to help employers control costs, maintain a healthy workforce, boost productivity and increase employee retention. We’ll supply the competitive edge you need for success in today’s world by supporting your most valuable asset — your workforce.

Introducing Chronic Condition Remote Patient Monitoring
Chronic Condition Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) by OSF OnCall provides around-the-clock remote management for patients with chronic diseases. Patients can connect via text messaging or a phone call — whatever their preference — for clinical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Through remote patient monitoring, changes in health status can be identified and tracked in real time. That allows timely interventions for clinical conditions that may otherwise lead to rapid health deterioration. Real-time data helps the care team stay on top of patient symptoms and supports effective treatment plans for issues that warrant clinical attention.

RPM is suitable for managing a host of common chronic diseases — and specialized care is provided for the unique symptoms of each:

• Asthma – Monitors breathing with or without a peak flow meter and tracks inhaler utilization 
• COPD – Tracks breathing and vital signs to prevent worsening symptoms
• Diabetes – Monitors blood glucose levels and supply accessibility
• Heart failure – Monitors heart health through tracking of breathing, swelling, vital signs and weight
• Hypertension – Tracks blood pressure and related symptoms

So, how can Chronic Condition Remote Patient Monitoring help your business? Let’s review some of the many benefits.

Improved employee health and wellness
First, RPM is an investment in the well-being of your workforce. With increased medication adherence and timely interventions to address chronic disease symptoms and complications, your employees can avoid delayed or unnecessary treatment. With 24/7/365 support, they’ll always feel safe and connected. By worrying less about their health, they’ll be able to experience a higher quality of life.

Increased workplace productivity
Improving health and wellness means a happier and more productive workforce. It really is that simple. With early intervention through RPM, your employees will be less likely to develop severe illnesses. Fewer hospital admissions and doctor visits mean they’ll need fewer days off — and they’ll be more effective when they’re on the job. As an employer, you can expect a measurable decline in absenteeism and an increase in workplace productivity.

Enhanced employee satisfaction
With RPM, your employees can get the care they need when it’s needed — right where they are. They’ll rest easy knowing they are well cared for, and you’ll gain the benefits of their improved satisfaction. That means increased retention and a decline in turnover. It all adds up to a healthier, happier work environment — and that’s a win-win for employers and employees alike.

Lower costs, direct and indirect
All the benefits of RPM work in conjunction to keep costs in check. Early identification of health status changes and increased medication adherence help keep your employees out of the hospital. By reducing hospital admissions and trips to the emergency room, you’ll see a decline in costly insurance claims. Decreased turnover means reduced hiring, training and onboarding expenses, while increased productivity lowers the cost of doing business.

Access to data analytics
RPM provides employers with easy, on-demand access to utilization reports. Employee health analytics are anonymized and aggregated appropriately to protect patient privacy. By reviewing this data, you’ll gain a better understanding of your employees’ health outcomes and utilization of health services. This may help you develop programs to further improve employee health and wellness — and the virtuous cycle continues.

Real-world results
The benefits of RPM were illustrated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, OSF OnCall launched a program to provide in-home monitoring for patients with varying symptoms and ongoing needs related to COVID-19. Licensed clinicians offered immediate care and 24/7 monitoring using the patient’s preferred communication method.

The data from this program showed tremendous value — with 96 percent of patients who were anxious or scared reporting an alleviation of distress after connecting with an OSF OnCall provider. Employees who suffer from chronic health conditions can experience similar outcomes through remote patient monitoring.

Your partner in innovation
The landscape of health care never stops evolving. New ways to manage chronic disease — with a focus on early detection and intervention — are critical tools for today’s employers. You need a partner who can help you leverage the benefits of innovation to keep your workforce healthy, while keeping an eye on cost control. You need a partner who gets it.  

With Chronic Condition Remote Patient Monitoring by OSF OnCall, your workforce will experience improved health outcomes along with more convenient and accessible care options. You’ll gain the benefits of decreased absenteeism, lower costs and improved employee satisfaction. Give us a call or contact us online to speak with a representative who can answer your questions and help you deliver the benefits of digital health to your employees.