Remote Check-Ups Could Prevent Infection-Related Hospitalizations for Blood Cancer Patients

People receiving blood cancer treatment are more prone to infections. New research suggests that providing a way for patients to report symptoms from home could help doctors identify infections earlier and reduce hospital visits.

Infections are an important thing to look out for while receiving blood cancer treatment

Blood cancer can weaken the immune system. This can happen because of the cancer itself or due to side effects of anti-cancer medications.

Common blood cancers included in the study were:

• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Chronic leukemias

Because the immune system may struggle to control infections, all symptoms should be reported to avoid complications. These include: 

• Slight fever
• Coughing
• Sore Throat
• Chills

Infections are one of the most common reasons blood cancer patients need unexpected hospital care.

How does remote monitoring work?

Remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) is a healthcare approach that allows patients to report symptoms to their care team from home using digital tools.

In this study, the RTM program used an electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) tool. Using this tool, patients can report their symptoms, side effects, or health changes during treatment. Once patients entered their symptoms, healthcare professionals reviewed them for possible indicators of prompt medical attention.

These indicators could include:

• Phone-based symptom assessment.
• Urgent clinic visits.
• Referral to the emergency department if necessary.

When the reported symptoms suggested infection, patients received early antibiotic treatment. Addressing infections early prevents them from becoming severe enough to require hospitalization.

Comparing outcomes in patients who used the RTM system with those without remote monitoring.

Patients who participated in remote monitoring experienced fewer infection-related hospital visits. Researchers believe the increase in outpatient antibiotics reflects earlier identification of infection symptoms. 

Reducing hospital visits is important for patients' well-being, and remote monitoring can improve early detection of infections without leaving the house

Hospitalizations can be physically demanding, emotionally stressful, and costly. They can also interrupt cancer treatment schedules.

By identifying infection symptoms earlier, remote monitoring may:

• Allow treatment before infections become severe.
• Reduce emergency department visits.
• Help patients stay safely at home during treatment.
• Support more consistent cancer therapy.

The researchers also noted that RTM systems could be widely implemented to reach more people nationwide.

How can I be screened for early infection prevention even without RTM?

Ask your care team whether symptom monitoring programs or digital reporting tools are available. Reporting symptoms early, no matter how small they seem, can help your team intervene sooner and may prevent more serious complications.

You can keep track of your symptoms on a daily basis, and visit your healthcare team when slight fever, coughing, chills or other symptoms that may resemble a flu appear. HealthTree provides a platform where you can access your health history and track your symptoms. With HealthTree’s tools, everything is in one place. Click the button below to get started.

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Advances like remote monitoring show how technology can strengthen the partnership between patients and care teams. By staying connected and sharing symptoms early, patients can play an active role in protecting their health during treatment.

Source: Remote therapeutic monitoring reduces hospitalization due to infection in patients being
treated for hematological malignancy