Remote patient monitoring (RPM) through smartphone application in community oncology practice.

Abstract

e18828 Background: Patients with cancer receiving treatment can have symptoms related to their disease or treatment. Early recognition and appropriate intervention of these symptoms can lead to fewer emergency room visits and fewer hospitalizations with significant reduction in healthcare costs. Earlier treatment of symptoms leads to more adherence to treatment. We present data regarding reduction in healthcare costs after implementation of remote patient monitoring in our community oncology practice with 13 oncology practice sites and 29 medical oncologists in Jacksonville, Florida. Methods: We implemented RPM through a smartphone application at all our practice sites starting September 1,2021. We collected data regarding number of patients on active therapy who required inpatient admissions during the 3-month period from 9/1/2021 to 11/30/21 . We documented the number of admissions during this 3-month period in 2020, prior to implementation of RPM followed by number of admissions during the same period of time in 2021 after the implementation of RPM. The numerical difference in admissions was then multiplied by average cost of hospitalization for adult cancer patients to calculate the healthcare cost savings. Results: During the 3-month period in 2020 without RPM, there were 234 inpatient admissions. During the same time frame in 2021, after implementation of RPM, there were 199 admissions. The implementation of RPM, showed a 15 % reduction in number of inpatient admissions. Average cost of inpatient stay for a cancer patient is $22,100 as per the data from healthcare cost and utilization project. This would translate to $773,500 over 3-month period and approximately $3 million annual healthcare cost savings. The annual cost of implementation of RPM in our practice was $350,000 which includes cost of smartphone application and the required clinical staff. Conclusions: Remote patient monitoring through smartphone application can be effectively implemented in community oncology practice with significant reduction in healthcare costs. Not only does it save money, it helps improve patient experience and adherence to treatment. We will continue to collect data to see if the trend continues.