Remote Patient Monitoring Improves Results and Outcomes

The proven benefits of remote patient monitoring can help employers maintain a healthy workforce, boost productivity and control costs.

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. The economic impact is equally staggering, measuring in the trillions of dollars while accounting for as much as 90% of total health care expenditures.ⁱ For employers, chronic diseases are a productivity killer. But new digital health options can help mitigate their costly impact.

Remote Patient Monitoring by OSF OnCall provides around-the-clock management for patients with chronic diseases. It's an innovative tool for employers seeking to keep their workforce healthy and control rising health care costs. And it’s an investment in your workforce that has already proven its value.

Innovating through the pandemic
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing prevented face-to-face interaction, it became clear that a different approach to care delivery was necessary. Within a matter of weeks, OSF OnCall launched the innovative Pandemic Health Worker (PHW) program, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

A COVID-19 hotline was quickly established, and a range of digital engagement channels were made available to the public. An AI-powered chatbot on the OSF HealthCare website helped to evaluate patient symptoms, while video visits allowed patients to connect remotely with their care team.

Those patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were given the option to enroll in the PHW program. Those with more severe symptoms or ongoing needs were directed into the Acute COVID@Home program, which provided 24/7 at-home monitoring tools for remotely tracking vital signs and blood oxygen levels. In some cases, tablets and peripheral devices were made available to enrollees who lacked them.

Upon patient enrollment, a digital health worker completed a social determinants of health (SDoH) assessment. Based on this assessment, the patient received education and resource referrals, including behavioral health support and community-based services to address critical needs such as food, housing or financial insecurity.

Successful digital interventions
From April 2020 to March 2021, the PHW team managed nearly 180,000 hotline calls and 38,000 virtual visits, while nearly 10,000 patients enrolled in the PHW or Acute COVID@Home program. Ninety-six percent of patients who were anxious or scared reported feeling relief after connecting with an OSF OnCall provider, while an equal number said they would recommend the program to others. With remote patient monitoring, they were able to recover in the comfort of their own homes, under the direction of licensed clinicians.

“This program gave us the chance to use what we’ve learned about digital health and put it into action on a broad scale,” said Jennifer Junis, Senior Vice President, OSF OnCall Digital Health. “We’ve been able to teach so many people about digital tools and help applications, and how to utilize those tools to improve their health. We will continue to optimize the experience so we can move the future forward.”

Support for employers
Remote Patient Monitoring by OSF OnCall is an effective tool for employers seeking to combat the health, financial and productivity costs of chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, COPD, heart failure and hypertension. With 24/7/365 chronic disease management support, employees can get the care they need when they need it. Access to more convenient care options increases their satisfaction in the workplace, which means increased retention and a decline in the associated costs of turnover.

Give us a call or contact us online to speak with a representative who can answer your questions and help you realize the benefits of remote patient monitoring. Click here to learn more about Remote Patient Monitoring by OSF OnCall.