Remote Patient Monitoring on FHIR: A SMARTer way to Bring RPM Data into the EHR
SMART on FHIR is a combination of two standards in the healthcare technology domain: SMART (Substitutable Medical Applications, Reusable Technologies) and FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources). It is an innovative framework that aims to enhance the interoperability and integration of healthcare applications with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems.
In a previous blog, I outlined the advantages of SMART on FHIR integrations compared to traditional HL7 integrations. In this blog, I’m going to outline why SMART on FHIR EHR integrations are preferable for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) solutions.
The Disconnect with Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote Patient Monitoring has become an important part of how we most effectively manage chronic conditions – especially diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and other cardiometabolic conditions. RPM has seen tremendous adoption by healthcare providers in the last five years, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in part due to new reimbursement opportunities for RPM first introduced in 2019.
However, one of the major weaknesses is the disconnect between remote physiologic data, data in the EHRs, and existing clinical workflows. This trend will continue as more sophisticated and complex sources of physiologic data gain traction, like Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and digital therapeutics.
Bringing RPM Data into the EHR Workflow with SMART on FHIR
The Rimidi platform brings data from an ecosystem of devices—including CGMs and novel digital therapeutics—into the clinical workflow. Within the platform, disease modules present comprehensive clinical summaries of each patient by merging data from the home and the clinic into problem-oriented views.
Building the platform with SMART on FHIR has provided several key benefits for providers wanting to add an RPM solution but unsure how to get the most out of the patient-generated data.
- Single Sign On to the EHR: Many RPM solutions or connected devices like CGMs have their own platforms or portals separate from the EHR. Healthcare providers are burdened with the task of managing multiple systems, as they need to log in separately to access patient data from various sources. Separate portals not only add strain on clinical teams, but require separate integration and security support from IT teams.
- Standardized Approach to Data Exchange: With SMART on FHIR integration in the Rimidi platform, data from different devices and sources can be seamlessly integrated and accessed within the clinical workflow. This standardized approach ensures that healthcare providers don't need to adapt to various proprietary data formats or interfaces, making it easier to incorporate data from a wide range of sources into patient care.
- Reduced Data Redundancy: Importantly, SMART on FHIR's resource-based model optimizes data sharing, enabling targeted information exchange without unnecessary data transmission. In contrast, HL7 interfaces may necessitate bulk data transfers, leading to inefficiencies and potential data redundancy.
- Optimized Decision-Making: Reduced data redundancy and selective data sharing enable providers to focus on relevant patient data, improving the accuracy and efficiency of clinical decision-making.
Rimidi’s SMART on FHIR Platform and Remote Patient Monitoring
Rimidi’s SMART on FHIR platform works within EHRs and combines patient-generated data from connected devices, novel digital therapeutics, and Patient Reported Outcomes surveys with relevant, condition-specific clinical data from the EHR into problem-oriented modules that allow for better chronic disease management.
By embracing SMART on FHIR, Rimidi's platform transforms data exchange from a cumbersome process into a streamlined and interoperable ecosystem. This approach surpasses the limitations of HL7 integration, enabling faster, more secure incorporation of Remote Patient Monitoring data into the clinical workflow.
