Remote Perioperative Monitoring in Adult Cardiac Surgery: The Impact on 1000 Consecutive Patients.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Digital Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs aim to improve access to care for adult cardiac surgery patients.
• The program integrates biosensors, audiovisual visits, messaging, and data tracking to enhance patient management.
• Key goals include reducing postoperative length of stay and 30-day readmissions, while increasing home discharges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an RPM program in adult cardiac surgery patients.
• To compare outcomes of RPM patients with a propensity-matched control group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 1000 consecutive RPM patients undergoing coronary artery bypass and/or valve surgery.
• Comparison with 1000 propensity-matched controls from July 2019 to April 2023.
• Outcomes defined using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Database standards.

Main Results:

• RPM patients had a significantly shorter median postoperative length of stay (1 day less).
• A 33% relative reduction in 30-day readmissions was observed in the RPM group.
• The rate of patients discharged to home increased by 5.6% in the RPM cohort.

Conclusions:

• Remote patient monitoring is a feasible and effective strategy for adult cardiac surgery patients.
• RPM is associated with improved clinical outcomes, including shorter hospital stays and reduced readmissions.
• The program facilitates a higher rate of successful home discharges post-cardiac surgery.