Use of Remote Monitoring to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure : A Pilot Trial

Abstract EN

Remote monitoring (RM) of homebound heart failure (HF) patients has previously been shown to reduce hospital admissions.

We conducted a pilot trial of ambulatory, non-homebound patients recently hospitalized for HF to determine whether RM could be successfully implemented in the ambulatory setting.

Eligible patients from Massachusetts General Hospital (n=150) were randomized to a control group (n=68) or to a group that was offered RM (n=82).

The participants transmitted vital signs data to a nurse who coordinated care with the physician over the course of the 6-month study.

Participants in the RM program had a lower all-cause per person readmission rate (mean=0.64, SD±0.87) compared to the usual care group (mean=0.73, SD±1.51; P-value=.75) although the difference was not statistically significant.

HF-related readmission rate was similarly reduced in participants.

This pilot study demonstrates that RM can be successfully implemented in non-homebound HF patients and may reduce readmission rates.