by Stacy Sprouse, MBA

The field of cardiovascular remote monitoring has witnessed remarkable advancements in recent years, transforming the way healthcare providers manage patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Remote monitoring offers an opportunity to revitalize traditional device clinics, improving patient outcomes and optimizing clinic efficiency. Cardiovascular remote monitoring can be harnessed to create a more streamlined and effective device clinic, benefitting patient outcomes and increasing healthcare provider productivity, efficiency, and overall job satisfaction.

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CIEDs, including pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), are essential in managing heart rhythm abnormalities and preventing sudden cardiac death. Thanks to technology advances, data is more meaningful and is received much faster. While this is a great opportunity to improve patient care, it is also a sizable burden for device clinics. With so much data coming in, staying current can be a real challenge. Ensuring the optimal functioning of these devices and monitoring patients’ conditions requires timely review of the incoming data and regular follow-up visits to device clinics. This data-driven approach enhances decision-making and facilitates early intervention when irregularities are detected but runs the risk of data overload and staff frustration. 

Multiple international heart rhythm societies recommend a device management program that includes remote monitoring combined with an annual in-person visit rather than in-person evaluation alone. This enables faster clinical response and appropriate medical action.1 https://cardio.jmir.org/2021/2/e27720 As device clinics are evaluating their existing CIED program, key questions must be considered:

• Does our clinic have adequate staffing to keep pace with the volume of incoming data?
• Have we achieved an industry best level of compliance?
• Do we consistently have a back-log? If so, how do we clear it and remain current?
• Do our processes prioritize patients with actionable medical needs?
• Where do we have opportunities to optimize resource activity and automation?
• Is our CIED program scalable?
• Is our program cost-effective and maximizing reimbursement?

Amber Seiler, COO and founder of CV Remote Solutions, CV Remote Solutions | Cardiac Remote Monitoring Services, can help answer these questions. Amber has an extensive background in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology and is a respected international speaker, thought-leader, and researcher on device clinic management and atrial fibrillation clinic development. Amber has had multiple publications accepted at a wide range of national and international society meetings, on topics such as device clinic management, use of device clinic analytics, and AF clinic outcomes. She has also partnered with leading companies in the cardiology space for the last several years, helping to develop novel strategies & tools for patient engagement and remote.

In addition to offering remote monitoring solutions, CV Remote provides consulting solutions led by Amber Seiler. Amber brings a fresh perspective and directed focus to help clinics around the world optimize their workflow and processes to better serve patients. If interested in an evaluation of your device clinic workflow, productivity, and future capability, please contact CV Remote Solutions via our website, Free Evaluation – CV Remote Solutions. 

References:

“Clinic Time Required for Remote and In-Person Management of Patients with Cardiac Devices: Time and Motion Workflow Evaluation”, Seiler, A., Biundo, E., Van Heel, L., JMIR Publications, 15.20.2021 Vol 5, No 2 (2021): Jul-Dec, https://cardio.jmir.org/2021/2/e27720