CardioCare@Home: Addressing unmet needs in the post-stroke pathway
This is part two of a three-part series on the role of remote patient monitoring in the post-stroke pathway.
In our previous blog post, we delved into the transformative potential of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and its application in post-stroke care, specifically for patients who have experienced cryptogenic stroke. We examined the shortcomings of current stroke care pathways, notably the delays and discomfort caused by existing heart monitoring devices such as Holter monitors and implantable loop recorders. We highlighted the critical need for longer-term cardiac monitoring to improve early detection of cardiac risk factors like atrial fibrillation, leading to more timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
We also introduced CardioCare@Home which Byteflies developed to address these gaps in post-stroke care. Building upon the Byteflies platform, we created a robust, patient-centric cardiac monitoring service that addresses the limitations of conventional systems while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of patient care. Crucially, this innovative system possesses the flexibility to adapt to surges in demand — a necessity underscored by the recent pandemic.
In this new blog post, we’ll have a closer look at CardioCare@Home (specifically CardioCare AFib), exploring its unique features and benefits for cardiologists, hospitals, and patients. We delve into the details of our innovative pay-per-use model, end-to-end logistics, and on-demand service, and how these elements combine to extend the reach of healthcare providers and improve the overall quality of cardiac care.
The Byteflies platform: remote patient monitoring that can be tailored to your patients
The Byteflies platform works in five steps:
- Prescription: Healthcare Providers (HCPs) prescribe the remote monitoring solution.
- Distribution: Byteflies ensure the corresponding hardware is delivered to patients or HCPs.
- Usage: Patients, possibly with caregiver assistance, utilize the monitoring tools at home.
- Data processing: The platform processes received patient data every day to derive clinically relevant insights.
- Reports: HCPs can generate on-demand reports, allowing them to adjust the monitoring period and make informed diagnostic decisions based on near real-time data.
CardioCare@Home: A tailored application of the Byteflies platform
CardioCare@Home is a prime example of the versatility of our platform. We took our core Byteflies platform technology, added specific requirements from cardiology, and developed CardioCare@Home. From there, we tailored it for three different service levels:
- CardioCare AFib
- CardioCare Plus
- CardioCare 24h
CardioCareAFib
CardioCare AFib is designed for cryptogenic stroke patients. It’s an advanced monitoring solution that continuously monitors the heart, identifies potential cardiac risk factors and shares this crucial data with the healthcare provider. This enables quicker, more accurate therapeutic decision-making, potentially reducing severe complications. Additionally, CardioCare AFib serves as a collaborative hub, connecting all care providers to the patient and data.
As an alternative to traditional 1–7 day ECG monitoring for cryptogenic stroke patients, CardioCare@Home enables faster diagnosis, more responsible usage of hospital resources, and a more patient-centric home monitoring system.
How Does CardioCare@Home Work?
CardioCare@Home is prescribed by a healthcare provider, and offers continuous at-home screening for cardiac rhythm risk factors, typically spanning 1–4 weeks.
The solution puts the patient at the center and gathers more data than other technology, allowing healthcare providers to improve the efficiency and efficacy of their care.
This integrated end-to-end system consists of:
- A wearable Cardiac Patch: Continuously records ECG and motion.
- Docking Station: Securely transfers recorded data from the patient’s patch to the Byteflies Cloud.
- Byteflies Cloud: Securely stores the recorded encrypted data, analyzes the input, and generates insights. Byteflies is fully GDPR compliant.
- Data Annotation Workflow: Marks the recorded data to highlight events of interest for the healthcare professional team to review.
- CardioCare@Home Pro: A web-based dashboard allowing HCPs to interact with the data and annotated events. It also generates reports that can be integrated into the medical record system of the providers.
A responsive solution for a dynamic healthcare landscape
CardioCare@Home addresses the challenges of the healthcare landscape by leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, improve outcomes, and manage costs, effectively supporting the development of a value-based care model.
Minimizing costs and enhancing system resilience with a device-on-demand approach and logistics.
The Byteflies approach turns the traditional financial model on its head, offering relief from substantial device procurement and maintenance costs. Instead of hospitals making large upfront investments — such as purchasing Holter monitors and their associated software, which can cost up to €10,000 each and quickly become outdated — we offer devices on demand.
We supply hospitals with an initial limited inventory of devices based on their immediate projected usage. As the devices are used, our system monitors stock levels and promptly dispatches replacements when supplies dwindle. This approach not only saves hospitals from heavy initial investments but also eliminates ongoing maintenance expenses linked to conventional devices. This nimble approach not only allows for easier adoption of telemonitoring tools, but also adaptability in the face of fluctuating patient volumes — a need underscored by the recent pandemic. The continuous refurbishment and replacement process ensures that hospitals always have access to up-to-date hardware and software, minimizing maintenance overhead and saving costs.
Tailored to patient needs: fostering value-based healthcare
Our pay-per-use pricing model allows physicians to pay exclusively for the required monitoring days, making them cost-effective. For instance, if atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected after just 8 days, patient monitoring can be promptly concluded. This not only reduces hospital expenditure, but it also lowers the burden on recovering patients.
Furthermore, unlike conventional devices that limit monitoring to one or two weeks, CardioCare@Home allows extended periods of observation based on an individual patient’s needs. Longer periods let clinicians make better decisions as they get a better view of a patient’s health and have more chances of seeing infrequent AF events.
Continuous improvement and rapid innovation: reimagining healthcare
Rather than persuading hospitals to make costly, one-off, upfront device purchases, our device-on-demand and pay-per-use model underscore our commitment to continual value delivery. This pledge fosters trust and encourages clinicians to choose CardioCare@Home consistently.
In the past two years, we’ve made over a hundred refinements to our solution, thanks to invaluable insight and feedback from healthcare professionals. These enhancements, which include optimizing the dashboard for faster use and clarifying patient instructions, mean Byteflies integrates seamlessly into clinical workflows, saving time for healthcare providers and improving the patient experience.
Our dedication to rapid innovation, albeit unusual in the slow-paced healthcare industry, mirrors the dynamic ethos of sectors like automotive and IT. By combining the prudence of healthcare with the agility of other sectors, we’re transforming healthcare delivery without compromising on clinical value or efficacy. This harmonious blend of safety and speed results in a sustainable model for the overall healthcare system.
In our final instalment of this series, We will share real-world data demonstrating the adoption of CardioCare within Belgium and how it aligns with the ongoing global shift towards value-based healthcare. Finally, we will touch on our efforts towards securing reimbursement, a crucial step in integrating our solution into the Belgian healthcare system and making it accessible to more patients.
Meanwhile, we invite you to explore our website and discover CardioCare@Home, along with the wide range of services we offer.
The information contained in this article represents the views and opinions of the writer(s) and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of other parties referenced or mentioned therein.
The article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this article.
