Ochsner Health System in Southeast Louisiana offered its patients receiving chemotherapy by using connected devices and MyChart Care Companion. This helped cancer patients to stay empowered by allowing them to self-monitor and keep care members updated with real-time results.
Reduced ED visits for cancer patients
The connected care program for cancer patients was successful in reducing emergency department visits and reducing the cost of care by $1.2 million for existing patients getting care. Through home monitoring technology and RPM tools, the oncology team is keeping patients out of ED. Hospitalizations and emergency department visits can be expensive and can increase the risk of getting infections.
How did the digital monitoring program work?
Healthcare providers were asked to encourage patients in a digital medicine program when devising chemotherapy treatment plans.
For the effective collection of daily symptom information, the health system leveraged Epic EMR Software MyChart platform creating questionnaires for specific diagnoses and treatments.
Patients were given home monitoring devices such as smart scales, thermometers, and blood pressure cuffs to monitor conditions from the comfort of their homes. The health monitoring devices are free of cost as they have been funded by grants and charities given by philanthropists.
The program’s success for cancer patients
Participants were surveyed to find out how the digital monitoring program worked out for cancer patients and their overall treatment journey.
- 90% of the participants reported high satisfaction levels with the care program initiated by Ochsner Health System.
- 80% feel that knowing their oncologists are abreast with their daily conditions gives them a sense of security outside of the hospital walls.
- Participants were 33% less likely to visit the hospital’s emergency department.
- The daily data electronically transmitted to care teams could help them quickly identify any issues before they become adverse and therefore intervene to enhance health outcome levels.
Healthcare technology and cancer care
By enabling early identification, individualized therapies, minimally invasive procedures, remote monitoring, and patient-centered support, healthcare technology has transformed cancer care. These developments continue to improve cancer care’s accuracy, effectiveness, and outcomes, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
