Research conducted at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust revealed that remote monitoring of patients who had recently suffered a heart attack had a significant impact on hospital readmissions.

“The approach we designed and tested is focused on sparing valuable time and resources while providing a well-informed treatment plan for high-risk patients experiencing worrying symptoms,” the researchers explain. “The study clearly showed that sending vital information straight to cardiology teams, coupled with a consultation, led to seemingly better care, reductions in admissions, average length of stay and A&E attendance.”

High-risk patients

The study focused on a group of high-risk patients from Hammersmith Hospital. Half of them had remote monitoring devices installed at home, enabling them to send vital signs and seek advice from cardiology specialists when needed. The other half followed conventional care, relying on medications and consulting GPs or visiting hospitals when necessary.

Results showed that patients using remote monitoring were 76% less likely to be readmitted to the hospital within six months and 41% less likely to visit A&E compared to those under standard care.

These findings suggest that remote monitoring could alleviate strain on healthcare systems globally, potentially reducing emergency department waitlists and cardiology ward admissions. Additionally, the remote monitoring group had a 15% lower risk of repeat heart attacks after nine months and underwent fewer unplanned heart vessel surgeries. Stroke rates were also lower among those using remote monitoring.

Easing the strain

In the UK, approximately 100,000 hospital admissions annually are due to heart attacks, with about 15% of patients readmitted within 30 days post-discharge. Telemedicine facilitated cardiologists to evaluate patients remotely, minimizing unnecessary A&E visits. Even for readmitted patients, the average hospital stay was significantly shorter than for those under standard care.

Furthermore, data revealed that patients using remote monitoring reported fewer symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath, underscoring its potential benefits in managing post-heart attack care.

“The results of this study are very encouraging and have the potential to relieve some of the current pressure on the NHS as hundreds of thousands of people wait for urgent heart tests, treatments and check-ups,” the authors conclude. “The findings suggest that telemedicine may have a significant role to play in freeing time and space in hospitals, whilst maintaining safety and even improving outcomes for at-risk patients.”