Five ways to overcome the challenges associated with Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
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The importance of training and education as part of your RPM model
May 15, 2025
The role of remote patient monitoring in post-surgery recovery
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The journey to recovery after surgery can be complex and challenging. Traditional post-operative care can often involve frequent in-person visits, which can be inconvenient and stressful for patients. Fortunately, remote patient monitoring (RPM) offers a transformative approach, providing numerous benefits that can help streamline the recovery process.
In this article we explore the advantages of RPM in monitoring patients after surgery.
Early detection of complications
One benefit of RPM in post-surgical settings is the active monitoring of a patient’s health metrics. Devices that connect with remote patient monitoring devices can track vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, providing a comprehensive view of the patient’s health. Access to this data collection enables healthcare providers to assess and treat conditions earlier in the recovery cycle, which can lead to better patient outcomes1.
Further, patients using RPM post-op are more appropriately medicated because errors are detected earlier in recovery2.
Improved patient engagement and compliance
Post-surgical recovery often requires patients to remain adherent to specific guidelines, such as medication regimens, physical activity levels, and wound care instructions. Devices utilizing remote patient monitoring devices encourage regular interaction and an understanding of a patient’s health, which can result in positive health outcomes when using these devices on a regular basis3.
Also, many RPM platforms include educational resources and tools that can help patients understand their recovery process and the importance of following their care plan.
Convenience and reduced hospital readmissions
Frequent post-operative visits to healthcare facilities can be burdensome for patients, especially those with limited mobility or transportation challenges. RPM provides patients the option to recover in the comfort of their homes while still receiving managed collaborative care from their providers who monitor their conditions.
Additionally, patients using post-operative remote patient monitoring services are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital4. This is pivotal during acute recovery, where RPM monitors a patient’s condition immediately after discharge — a vulnerable period when changes in vital signs may indicate complications not apparent during the hospital stay5.
Enhanced communication and support
Effective communication between patients and healthcare providers is important for successful post-surgical recovery. Remote patient monitoring software can facilitate seamless communication to help ensure patients receive the support they need throughout their recovery journey. This can include several options, such as secure, in-app messaging or virtual consultations, where patients can discuss their concerns with healthcare providers without having to meet in person.
Cost savings
Implementing RPM in post-surgical settings can be cost effective for both patients and healthcare providers. By minimizing the need for hospital admissions and frequent in-person visits, RPM can help lower overall healthcare expenses6.
In addition to lowering the costs of hospital admissions and readmissions, RPM has also shown a decrease in patient length of stay, outpatient visits, and non-hospitalization expenses7.
Healthcare providers across the care continuum continue to recognize the value of remote patient monitoring services. By leveraging RPM, they can deliver connected, post-surgical recovery care directly in the comfort of the patient’s home, and overall continue to refine post-surgical care through early detection of complications, improving engagement, offering convenience, enhancing support, and reducing healthcare costs.
And as the healthcare industry continues to embrace digital transformation, RPM continues to stand out as a valuable tool in helping ensure optimal, post-surgical outcomes.
Vivify Health is a remote patient monitoring company that offers a powerful RPM software solution with integrated third-party biometric devices designed to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your disease management and post-acute care programs.
- Li, J. (2022, September 16). Remote Monitoring: Innovation Drives Post-Op Recovery. Orthopedic Design & Technology. https://www.odtmag.com/contents/view_online-exclusives/2022-09-16/remote-monitoring-innovation-drives-post-op-recovery/
- Hung, C. (2021, November 24). Randomized Controlled Trial Shows RPM Improves Patient Outcomes. Healthcare IT Today. https://www.healthcareittoday.com/2021/11/24/randomized-controlled-trial-shows-rpm-improves-patient-outcomes/
- Strategic Market Research. (2023, July). Global Remote Patient Monitoring Statistic 2023 – Facts & Figures. https://www.strategicmarketresearch.com/blogs/remote-patient-monitoring-statistics
- Hung, C. (2021, November 24). Randomized Controlled Trial Shows RPM Improves Patient Outcomes. Healthcare IT Today. https://www.healthcareittoday.com/2021/11/24/randomized-controlled-trial-shows-rpm-improves-patient-outcomes/
- McCulley, J., and Turowski, J. (2023, October 13). Incorporating Remote Patient Monitoring Into Care. Cleveland Clinic. https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/incorporating-remote-patient-monitoring-into-care
- Siwicki, B. (2024, March 25). How RPM can scale and sustain CMS’ hospital at home program. Healthcare IT News. https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/how-rpm-can-scale-and-sustain-cms-hospital-home-program
- Tan, S.Y., Sumner, J., Wang, Y. et al. A systematic review of the impacts of remote patient monitoring (RPM) interventions on safety, adherence, quality-of-life and cost-related outcomes. npj Digit. Med. 7, 192 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-024-01182-w
