Use of Remote Monitoring to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure: A Pilot Trial

Remote monitoring (RM) of homebound heart failure (HF) patients has previously been shown to reduce hospital admissions. We conducted a pilot trial of ambulatory, non-homebound patients recently hospitalized for HF to determine whether RM could be successfully implemented in the ambulatory setting. Eligible patients from Massachusetts General Hospital (n = 150) were randomized to a control group (n = 68) or to a group that was offered RM (n = 82). The participants transmitted vital signs data to a nurse who coordinated care with the physician over the course of the 6-month study. Participants in the RM program had a lower all-cause per person readmission rate (mean = 0.64, SD +/- 0.87) compared to the usual care group (mean = 0.73, SD +/- 1.51; P-value -.75) although the difference was not statistically significant. HF-related readmission rate was similarly reduced in participants. This pilot study demonstrates that RM can be successfully implemented in non-homebound HF patients and may reduce readmission rates.