The True Cost of Network Downtime for RPM

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has become a cornerstone of connected healthcare. By enabling healthcare providers to track patient health remotely and in real-time, RPM improves patient health outcomes and helps combat clinical staff shortages. Over 23 million people in the US were using RPM services in 2020 – with that number expected to triple by 2025 to over a quarter of the US population.   

However, a few seconds of downtime can be detrimental, and the costs can be measured in more than just dollars. Whether due to issues with the sensors, platform, or network connectivity, remote patient monitoring (RPM) downtime impacts compliance, trust in the technology, operational efficiencies, and, ultimately, patient safety. 

Let’s dive into how downtime, specifically unreliable connectivity, impacts RPM providers, healthcare providers, and patients. 

How Downtime Impacts RPM Providers 

Network downtime can significantly impact the return on investment for remote patient monitoring companies, as uninterrupted connectivity is the backbone of their operation. When networks fail, devices lose the ability to transmit critical health data in real-time. Not only is patient trust and provider credibility affected, but downtime can result in missed revenue opportunities.  

For RPM companies, downtime can increase operational costs and affect the need for additional troubleshooting. These issues make it difficult for companies to maintain their reputation in the healthcare ecosystem. 

Here are some questions to consider as an RPM provider when evaluating the structure of your network: 

• How often does our network experience an outage or downtime, and what are the typical causes?
   
• What impact does downtime have on healthcare providers to deliver timely and accurate patient care?
   
• Do we have backup systems or redundancies in place to maintain connectivity during outages?
   
• Are we meeting regulatory and data security requirements (e.g. HIPAA) during periods of network disruption?
   
• How does network downtime affect patient trust and satisfaction with our services? 

For remote patient monitoring providers, network reliability is not just a technical consideration. It’s a key factor for delivering high-quality care for healthcare providers and their patients. Understanding these risks is one of the first steps to building a more resilient infrastructure. 

How Downtime Impacts Healthcare Providers 

When connectivity is interrupted, patient data becomes delayed or inaccessible to healthcare providers. Not only does this cause a negative ripple effect in a healthcare system’s workflow and staff hours, but providers may face increased costs for emergency IT support, system repairs, and/or deploying alternative methods. Additionally, insufficient data transmission may violate compliance standards, generating possible fines under regulations like HIPAA. 

Most importantly, if healthcare providers don’t have reliable data, patient outcomes may suffer due to delayed responses or missed identifiers of a medical issue. 

As connected health continues to advance, RPM and healthcare providers need to minimize connectivity downtime and ensure every patient has access to these technologies, especially those in rural or low-income households where connectivity can be a challenge.  

How Downtime Impacts Patients

Many patients rely on RPM devices for chronic care management (CCM). 80 percent of RPM users are patients suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorders, making care exceptionally vital. Delayed data transmission can influence major identifiers and early warning signs needed to respond to an emergency.  

This not only jeopardizes patient safety but also creates stress and anxiety for an individual who relies on consistent monitoring for peace of mind and health. Over time, repeated offenses can dismantle patient trust in RPM solutions, potentially undermine the technology’s effectiveness, and become less likely to use certain health monitoring equipment.  

The Shift from Bluetooth to Cellular-Connected RPM 

According to a 2023 National Diabetes Care Survey, 70% of participants who use a Bluetooth device responded that they sometimes, often, or always have issues sending their readings to their provider — 56% of that group said they always have issues. 

Bluetooth RPM devices that rely on patients connecting their devices to a Wi-Fi network have an increased risk of connectivity downtime, which is why we are seeing a shift towards cellular RPM devices. 

RPM companies looking to leverage cellular connectivity should look for these three things when selecting a wireless connectivity vendor to further improve uptime for end users: 

1. Multi-carrier capabilities
    
2. Pre-activated SIMs
    
3. Device and data alerts 

Reliable connectivity is not just a technical requirement for remote patient monitoring – it's a foundation for achieving high-quality care and securing patient safety. Network downtime disrupts the flow of critical health data, creating challenges for RPM companies and providers. Don’t lose sleep over downtime.