AT&T is supporting remote patient monitoring (RPM) on its nationwide IoT network.
The carrier is partnering with Smart Meter. AT&T says that its cellular approach to RPM is easier for end users in comparison with Bluetooth, which requires paIring with a device for data download and transmission.
The SmartRPM platform supports iGlucose, iBloodPressure and iScale. A fourth product, iPulseOx, is being unveiled at CES this week in Las Vegas. End users insert the batteries — which are included — and press the start button to activate the service. The device’s IoT SIM card automatically sends data to the SmartRPM cloud, where it can be accessed by secure log-in by the healthcare provider.
AT&T cited Smart Meter data that found that 84% of diabetes patients and 88% of hypertension patients who are at high risk for disease complications “experienced significant improvements” when using iGlocuse and iBloodPressure, respectively.
“The iGlucose solution proved to be an outstanding resource for my clinical team to enable greater insights into our patients’ results between visits, said Dr. Gail L. Nunlee-Bland of the Howard University Diabetes Treatment Center in a press release. “More than 70% of participants required some form of intervention prior to their next in-office visit, and as a result, there was a reduction in emergency room visits and need for hospitalizations, demonstrating better overall diabetes care.”
Telehealth in general and remote monitoring, in particular, offer great benefits, especially to people in remote areas. These platforms can monitor conditions 24/7 and reduce visits to medical facilities.
Last month, AT&T said that its FirstNet first responders’ network is supporting Qure4u, which is a “patient engagement and virtual care platform” that includes a Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuff, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite and enhanced security.
C Spire also is offering an RPM service. The carrier said in August 2020 that it is teaming with the Delta Regional Medical Center in Mississippi. C Spire Remote Patient Monitoring will monitor “a broad array of chronic medical conditions.”
