At Health Tech Insider, we often cover biosensing devices such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), electronic health records (EHR), and remote patient managment (RPM). Rarely do we cover all three topics in the same post. The lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic pushed RPM adoption that often involved biosensing devices. We’ve also written about RPM and monitored devices with patients with prediabetes.
CGM system developer Smart Meter recently announced a partnership with EHR software provider PointClickCare. This partnership is notable because it integrates CGM, EHR, and RPM in one secure cloud-based platform. Other platforms including Smart Meter’s iGlucose allow care givers to view remotely monitored biometrics. Smart Meter’s alliance with PointClickCare takes health data integration a big step further by incorporating glucose level information with patients’ full medical records.
According to Smart Meter, FDA guidance allows iGlucose meter use with patients in long-term care (LTC) facilities while the pandemic continues. Benefits from this LTC application include timely patient care, cost containment, and improved workflow. Physicians can access patient data remotely to take action quickly. In addition to eliminating the need for manual blood glucose tests, facilities will be able to manage data from multiple patients more efficiently for timely intervention. Staff won’t be bogged down with multiple devices, platforms, and applications to manage all patient data including remote billing codes.
We’re not at the point of full integration of all healthcare system components from preventive care through billing and follow-up, but the sooner the better. The Smart Meter and PointClickCare alliance is a bellwether that shows how digital health integration can work.
