Remote Therapeutic Monitoring and Your EMR: What is it and How it Works
When the CMS introduced five new CPT codes in 2022, care delivery and practice revenue increased. When RTM is a part of an EMR solution, the technologies work together to significantly enhance patient outcomes, streamline workflows, and elevate the quality of care. Using medical devices and software to track patient compliance and progress, Physical therapists can improve communication, modify treatment plans, and ensure patients get the care and outcomes they deserve outside the clinic.
What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)?
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) involves using digital health tools like mobile apps, wearables, and sensors to track patients’ health data and therapy adherence in real-time. This technology allows physical therapists to:
• Monitor Patient Progress: Track how well patients follow their prescribed exercise regimens and monitor their physical activity, pain levels, and recovery status.
• Provide Timely Interventions: Allows for treatment plan adjustments so that patients stay on track with their plan of care.
• Enhance Patient Engagement: Gives them tangible progress insights, which can increase their connection to therapy plans and help motivate them to stay on track.
RTM’s true potential is realized when it is integrated with an EMR system and can effectively bridge the gap between in-clinic visits and home-based care, creating efficiencies and improving patient outcomes.
How RTM and EMR Integration Works
Integrating RTM with an EMR system connects real-time patient data with their comprehensive treatment records, allowing for a more complete and data-driven approach to care.
1. Automatic Data Capture and Syncing
RTM devices capture patient data—such as exercise completion rates, pain levels, and mobility metrics—and automatically sync this information with the EMR system. These data-driven insights foster better outcomes by gathering large amounts of information that help therapists identify patterns, optimize treatment plans, and develop evidence-based strategies that improve patient outcomes.
2. Treatment Adjustments
With real-time data flowing into the EMR, therapists can quickly identify when a patient is struggling or not adhering to their prescribed exercises. Communication through the RTM platform or other communication channels enables immediate adjustments to the treatment plan to be implemented.
3. Streamlined Documentation
The integration allows for automated documentation of patient interactions and progress — reducing manual data entry burden on therapists and ensuring that all patient records are comprehensive and accurate.
5. Care Coordination
When RTM data is integrated into the EMR, all care team members have access to the same up-to-date information.
Benefits of RTM and EMR Integration for Physical Therapy Practices
1. Proactive Patient Management
Therapists have a complete view of the patient’s health status, which is critical for making informed decisions and providing personalized care and avoiding scheduling bottlenecks with the ability to schedule visits outside of the clinic.
2. Enhanced Patient Adherence and Engagement
Patients who can track their progress are more likely to stay engaged with their therapy. RTM tools provide real-time feedback, which, when integrated with EMR, can be personalized to reinforce adherence and keep patients motivated throughout their recovery journey.
3. Improved Workflow Efficiency
Data capture and documentation automation through an integrated RTM and EMR reduce therapists’ administrative tasks — allowing them to spend more time on patient care and less on paperwork, enhancing patient care and overall practice efficiency.
Why RTM and EMR Integration, a Therapy Practice Essential
Integrating Remote Therapeutic Monitoring with EMR systems is not just a technological enhancement—delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and improving the financial health of therapy practices is necessary.
• Optimize Practice Efficiency: Automation and data integration reduce administrative tasks, allowing therapists to focus on what matters most—patient care.
• Reputation Management: Patients who feel engaged and informed are more likely to be satisfied with their care, leading to better adherence and outcomes.
• Financial Stability: With more consistent visits backed by preapproved codes, your clinicians can provide more consistent and effective therapy and get paid.
Adopting this technology will help physical therapy practices stay ahead of advancements in patient care and competition and combat declining reimbursements.
