A New Patient Centered Remote Therapy Monitoring System for Monitoring Adherence to Wound Therapy

The purpose of this user evaluation was to examine a new remote therapy monitoring (RTM) system that monitors patient therapy adherence.

RTM transmits data through a proprietary remote monitoring system used in the home care setting and gathers therapy usage data, which is transmitted to a clinical care network.  The team monitors patient therapy daily and contacts each patient when he/she fall below a therapy compliance threshold.

Twenty-three patients were evaluated for all or part of length of therapy.  Therapy usage was transmitted periodically.  Non-adherent patients were defined as not receiving therapy for 16 hours in a day and were contacted by phone to discuss therapy usage.  Patients and clinicians were surveyed to assess perceived value of RTM.

Interactions between the clinical team and patients resulted in several findings: increased adherence levels for patients that were non-adherent with therapy, patient satisfaction/peace of mind, and clinician awareness.  When non-adherent patients were successfully contacted, patients became adherent 81% of the time on the following day.  Nineteen out of 22 patients (86%) maintained an average therapy use of ≥ 16 hours during the monitored 30 days of therapy. One patient was not included due to discontinuation of therapy before 24 hours.

Of 12 patient surveys received, 12/12 patients (100%) reported that they would want RTM if they needed NPWT again; 9/12 patients (75%) found RTM provided peace of mind on their healing journey. Of 7 clinician surveys received, 7/7 clinicians (100%) agreed that earlier interaction through RTM may impact wound progression for patients who do not adhere to therapy usage.

This evaluation is the first to examine the features of negative pressure wound therapy with RTM. Preliminary findings indicate increased adherence for non-adherent patients who were contacted, increased satisfaction, and confidence in providing care from a distance.