Online Data Platform with Remote Monitoring for Patients with Chronic Dialysis
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who need dialysis face many challenges in managing their condition and maintaining their quality of life. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment that replaces the function of the kidneys by filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood. However, dialysis also requires frequent visits to a clinic or hospital, or the ability to perform the procedure at home with adequate equipment and support.
Home dialysis, which can be either peritoneal dialysis (PD) or home hemodialysis (HHD), offers some advantages over in-center dialysis, such as more flexibility, convenience, and independence. However, home dialysis also poses some risks, such as technical failures, infections, and lack of supervision. Therefore, patients who choose home dialysis need regular follow-up and monitoring from their healthcare team to ensure their safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a technology that enables the transmission of data from patients’ devices to their healthcare providers through an online platform. RPM can provide real-time information on patients’ vital signs, dialysis parameters, symptoms, and adherence to the treatment plan. RPM can also facilitate communication and feedback between patients and their healthcare team, as well as alert them to any potential problems or complications.
RPM has been shown to have positive effects for patients with CKD who perform dialysis at home, compared to standard care only. A systematic review by Nygård et al. (2021) found low to very low certainty evidence that RPM may improve patients’ quality of life, reduce hospitalization days, prevent technical failures that lead to transfer to a different dialysis modality, and lower infection rates. The authors concluded that offering RPM follow-up for home dialysis patients appears to be safe and provide health benefits.
Another systematic review by Peyroteo et al. (2021) also found that RPM can improve health outcomes for patients with chronic diseases in primary health care settings, including CKD. The authors identified several benefits of RPM, such as improved self-management skills, increased patient satisfaction, enhanced clinical decision making, reduced healthcare costs, and better access to care.
RPM can be implemented using various devices and platforms that are tailored to the needs and preferences of patients and their healthcare team. For example, Baxter’s Remote Patient Management system allows healthcare providers to view and manage patients’ PD data remotely and in a timely manner, as well as adjust their treatment program as needed. DrKumo’s array of RPM devices can help monitor patients’ blood pressure, weight, pulse oximetry, temperature, and glucose levels, as well as provide alerts and reminders for medication adherence and lifestyle changes.
In conclusion, RPM is a promising technology that can enhance the quality and safety of home dialysis for patients with CKD. By providing continuous data and feedback, RPM can help patients and their healthcare team optimize their treatment outcomes and prevent complications. RPM can also empower patients to take more control over their health and improve their well-being.
Works Cited
Nygård HT., Nguyen L., Berg RC. Effect of remote patient monitoring for patients with chronic kidney disease who perform dialysis at home: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2021;12:e061772. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-061772
Peyroteo M., Ferreira IA., Elvas LB., Ferreira JC., Lapão LV. Remote Monitoring Systems for Patients With Chronic Diseases in Primary Health Care: Systematic Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021;9(12):e28285. doi: 10.2196/28285
Remote Patient Management (RPM). Baxter Renal Care Services. https://renalcare.baxter.com/automated-peritoneal-dialysis-remote-patient-management-evidence Accessed 17 Sep 2023.
Top 5 Remote Patient Monitoring Devices for People with Chronic Kidney Disease in 2022. DrKumo Inc. https://drkumo.com/top-5-remote-patient-monitoring-devices-for-people-with-chronic-kidney-disease-in-2022/ Accessed 17 Sep 2023.
