Modern RPM: IronRod Health’s Inevitable Solution
Time is of the essence. Whether we like it or not, some of our largest and most beloved generations are aging into a new era.
By the year 2030, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts that over 20% of our population will consist of residents 65 and older. That’s one in every five people! Furthermore, this will incorporate 1/3 or up to 120,000 of our country’s currently active physicians. The bottom line is simple: a drastic decrease in our labor force will lead to a shortage of physicians caring for a disproportionate number of patients. By leveraging RPM (Remote Physiological Monitoring) technology, we are enabling physicians to provide both efficient and accessible virtual care without compromising quality, paving the way for the future.
IronRod Health’s RPM service line is comprised of devices that record and transmit patient data to our RPM Management Team. Our managed RPM service is a comprehensive, turn-key package; we handle all the details so you can focus on your patients. Check out the flyer to learn more about our RPM services.
From the heart,
A Guide to Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote Patient Monitoring (sometimes called telemonitoring) is the collection of health data by a patient, often from outside conventional care settings, which is then electronically and securely transmitted to a provider (sometimes via a data processing service) for use in care and related support.
For example, a patient while at work or home routinely records electrocardiograms (ECGs), and checks blood pressure with an Omron cuff. The data is instantly uploaded to the IronRod Health platform. The patient’s provider logs into the IronRod Health Portal to review the patient’s health data, then communicates the treatment plan to the patient by phone or email.
Remote patient monitoring can:
Empower patients to better manage their health and participate in their health care
Increase visibility into a patient’s adherence to treatment and enables timely intervention
Strengthen relationships between clinicians and patients
Dogs Are Good for Your Heart
Anyone who owns dogs will tell you the household wouldn’t be the same without them. We all know they are loyal, funny, silly, comforting, and protective, but dogs also have demonstrable positive effects on different aspects of our health. They are especially good for the heart.
The correlation between a healthy heart and having a dog is not exactly clear, but studies do show that owners of dogs have lower blood pressure. Lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels have also been seen in dog owners, even when lifestyle factors should be negatively affecting those results.
Part of the benefits are thought to come from the exercise one gets walking the dog or even pitching the ball during regular fetch sessions. According to Harvard, “people with dogs experience less cardiovascular reactivity during times of stress…dampening the effects of stress on the body.” A far more likely precipitator for these positive benefits is the calming effect dogs have on people.
Several studies have shown that a person’s blood pressure decreases when they are petting a dog. Canine companions make wonderful support animals, especially in healthcare settings, where those with a specific temperament are invited into hospitals to help patients with difficult treatments or to brighten their spirits during a long stay.
While there is a strong correlation between heart health and owning a dog, it cannot be overstated that this should not be the main or only reason to bring a canine into your home. One must be financially able and emotionally ready (among other things), as it is a long-term commitment to care for another life. Certainly, if you’ve been considering adopting a furry friend anyway, knowing they provide health benefits just adds to the excitement of welcoming one into your life.
The IoMT Opens an Exciting New Era of Advanced Medical Technology
For the most part, it’s just another typical day – waking up to a freshly brewed cup of java courtesy of your Wi-Fi-enabled smart coffee machine, then taking a jog with your wearable device that is monitoring your vitals and workout. Next up you are heading to the doctor, where connected devices are also becoming ubiquitous. Welcome to the Internet of Things (IoT)! Because we are living in a connected society, most of us use the IoT one way or another every day, yet probably don’t even give it a fleeting thought.
This advancement in technology makes the world smarter and more responsive by merging the physical and digital universes. Thanks to the wireless and hard-wired networks around the world, billions of devices across the globe are connected through the Internet. The benefits of these communicating gadgets, especially those that are mobile and utilize Wi-Fi, are vast.
Featured Employee: Angelica Vigil
Angelica Vigil, RPM Manager, believes teamwork is the basis of success. She has been with IronRod for only 7 months, but in that short time, she has rallied her team around the importance of strong communication skills and patience, ensuring every phone call to every patient is both knowledgeable and a learning experience for not only the patient, but her RPM team as well.
“What I love about working here is that we are all family”, Angelica shared, “and if one person needs help, we are there as a team. We all look out for one another to make sure we have what we need to succeed.”
Many patient stories have had an impact on her, but Angelica recounted one that she considers particularly heartwarming. A daughter was assisting her parents with an ECG device, and her gratitude for having someone knowledgeable who could monitor the daily recordings brought her to tears. She thanked Angelica, who happened to call right when the daughter needed help. The relief, reassurance, and comfort Angelica brought the family continues to motivate and inspire her.