The Inova General Internal Medicine Group (IMG), a large group practice of internal medicine and cardiology specialists, has instituted new procedures regarding telehealth appointments for a majority of their patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Case Study # 4 

 The Inova General Internal Medicine Group (IMG), a large group practice of internal medicine and cardiology specialists, has instituted new procedures regarding telehealth appointments for a majority of their patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One example is the use of remote monitoring of all cardiac patients who have a pacemaker. Each patient was sent a simple-to-use remote monitoring device (so they did not have to come to their doctor’s office) to be used in their home. This device looks much like a computer mouse. At regularly scheduled intervals, the patient places the mouse-like device directly above the location of their pacemaker. The device uploads all the monitoring history stored in the pacemaker and then sends the information electronically to the IMG clinical information system. The patient’s respective cardiologist then reviews the patient information that was downloaded to the CIS system. Providers can make recommendations for additional diagnostic activities and/or treatments, changes in medication, or just maintain the established treatment protocols. Follow-up discussions between the patients and cardiologists can be performed over the patient’s personal computer or given the option to come to IMG. Patients have been very receptive to this model of care since they do not have to leave their homes in the midst of a quarantine and put themselves at additional risk for being exposed to COVID-19. 

Question 1: What procedures should be in place to verify that the in-home readings were received and evaluated.

Question 2: Identify what types of evaluation should be performed on the remote patient monitoring system?