Can Information Technology Improve the Performance of Remote Monitoring Systems

Abstract Despite some clinical, economic, and other qualitative advantages associated with remote cardiac device monitoring systems, one of the main challenges concerns the management of the out-of-hospital data. Manual updating of hospital databases with the data stored in the manufacturers' servers increases time requirements and may introduce mistakes in the entries. The use of communication standards such as Health Level 7 for data interchange could provide a safe and easy way to access patient and device information. The present study of 38 patients was carried out with the Carelink® remote monitoring technology. A formal process for remote cardiac device monitoring was established, including some features in the Arrhythmias Information System: mobile phone and e-mail were included for communication between patients and hospital, with a new gateway for automatic message sending. Device reports generated through the manufacturer's application were attached to the patient's record. Once the information...