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CASE STUDY

Connecting Rural Communities with Remote Patient Monitoring

 

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Client: Lake Oconee Primary and Urgent Care Center

Location: Georgia

Specialty: Primary Care, Geriatrics, Urgent Care, Concierge Medicine

Conditions Monitored: Hypertension, diabetes, heart failure

3

Ordering providers

100+

Patients monitored

100%

Patients billable for 99457

Providing Care in Between Visits

Tori McDerment has been in the healthcare space for more than ten years, but she never thought that technology would allow providers to take care of patients outside of regular office visits. But since becoming the RPM (remote patient monitoring) Specialist at Lake Oconee Primary and Urgent Care Center in Eatonton, GA, she has witnessed first-hand the positive impact that RPM can have on improving health outcomes.

“Prior to offering RPM, we were typically only seeing patients every 3-6 months, which posed a challenge in helping them manage their hypertension and diabetes,” Tori says.

The Lake Oconee clinic researched RPM solutions and selected Optimize Health because of the solution’s flexibility and available services. “Our top priority was to make sure the RPM program conformed to our needs, rather than us having to conform to the RPM program. Optimize Health’s platform is very flexible, and I absolutely love their customer service.”

Nurse talking to patient about blood glucose monitor

 

“If you’re treating hypertensive patients, it’s really hard to know if their medications need to be adjusted because you’re seeing them 2-4 times per year–you don’t want to make changes based on just one or two blood pressure readings.”

Tori McDerment, RPM Specialist at Lake Oconee Primary and Urgent Care Center

 

Putting Patients in Control of their Health

Since starting their RPM program with Optimize Health, Tori and the providers have seen patients achieve better results quicker with RPM. “I see myself as a patient advocate in many ways, and RPM has allowed them to take control of their health. Patients are excited when they see that their blood pressure readings are better or that their blood sugar is lower,” Tori said.

“The biggest and most exhilarating surprise was to see how well RPM really works in helping our patients control their chronic conditions, whether it’s adjusting their medications because we’re seeing trends in their readings, or taking them off medications completely.”

Tori McDerment RPM Specialist at Lake Oconee Primary and Urgent Care Center

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To keep their patients engaged in RPM, Tori prioritized building trusted relationships with them so they would understand that she’s there for support and help them stay accountable. “The patient needs to be able to know the person who’s going to be calling them and interacting with them on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, and feel comfortable and cared for in order for them to succeed in the program,” she says.

Tori recommends having a direct phone line for patients to reach their RPM Specialist or care team member so they know there’s one or two people who are available when they need help. “Having a direct phone line makes the patient understand someone is really looking out for their health and makes them feel elite in a way. And, when a patient hits their 16th reading goal in a month, they are entered into a drawing for a small prize, like a t-shirt or tumbler. Incentives are a great idea and they work.”

“RPM has allowed our patients to take control of their health, and they’re excited when they see that their blood pressure readings are better or that their blood sugar is lower.”

Tori McDerment RPM Specialist at Lake Oconee Primary and Urgent Care Center

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Growing Their RPM Program

For the future, Tori’s plans are to “grow grow grow!” the RPM program. “The majority of patients we see in our office are elderly and have hypertension and diabetes, and so helping them via RPM without having them come from surrounding rural areas has been really beneficial.”

Tori notes that the best part has been being able to see the positive changes that people have made in their lives since starting RPM. “Patients now have a sense of pride knowing they are taking control of their health, and that’s what’s been most rewarding: giving people control of their own health by empowering them with the right tools and education.”

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