Remote Patient Monitoring | Bosch Health Campus

Use of Digital Remote Monitoring and Treatment Solutions as an Important Component in Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic in Baden-Württemberg – RPM

IN BRIEF

About the Project

Funding period: March 15, 2021 – December 31, 2023

Brief description: The Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) project focused on the outpatient care of patients with COVID-19. Using digital and telemedicine technologies, high-risk groups, infected individuals, and patients could be monitored remotely at home. Vital parameters were recorded via an app and made available to the responsible physician through a practice dashboard while ensuring data protection.

Objectives/Outcomes: Development of Remote Patient Monitoring systems for use in acute COVID-19 and Long COVID, as well as their implementation in Baden-Württemberg.

Project partners: KTBW, Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Baden-Württemberg (KV BW), Huma Therapeutics GmbH, University of Konstanz – Keim Chair, Department of Computer and Information Science

During the COVID-19 pandemic, outpatient care for COVID-19 patients was supported through digital and telemedicine technologies. New Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) systems enabled high-risk groups, infected individuals, and patients to be monitored at home. Vital parameters such as pulse, respiratory rate, body temperature, general health status, and oxygen saturation were recorded via an app and made available to the responsible physician through a practice dashboard while ensuring data protection.

As part of the project, a Long COVID app was also developed. Over time, the care of COVID-19 patients evolved from monitoring acutely ill patients toward monitoring and protecting vulnerable patient groups and supporting patients throughout their Long COVID journeys. The Long COVID app provides patients with an easy-to-use digital tool that enables them to actively monitor and manage their own “patient journey” (empowerment). In addition, physicians can digitally monitor and support their Long COVID patients across different healthcare sectors.

Outcomes:

HUMA

COVID-19 Remote Patient Monitoring

The Acute COVID App, jointly developed by KTBW and Huma Therapeutics, enables patients to independently track their symptoms and vital signs during an acute COVID-19 infection and to monitor their condition together with their physician. It is particularly suitable for patients belonging to high-risk groups, helping them develop a better understanding of their illness while also providing greater confidence and safety in managing their condition.

Physicians have access to a dashboard where they can view all of their patients and their reported data. This provides an effective tool for monitoring patients, identifying complicated disease courses at an early stage, and, if necessary, arranging hospital admission. It also enables physicians to maintain an overview of their patients’ symptoms and health status at all times.

Long-COVID-App

The Long COVID App, also jointly developed by KTBW and Huma Therapeutics, is based on the same technology and similar processes as the Acute COVID App. As the treatment of Long COVID and Post-COVID is not yet clearly defined, patients may present with a wide range of different symptoms. These often severely affected patients require intensive support and monitoring.

The Long COVID App provides a low-threshold digital tool that enables patients to actively monitor and manage their recovery. Various health parameters and symptoms are tracked, while validated questionnaires covering different symptom groups—including pain, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and activity—are completed regularly. Physicians can review this data via their dashboard, provide close support, and engage in telemedicine consultations with patients when needed.