CASE STUDY
4 Clinical Case Studies
Scott J. Ratner, MD, is a solo physician with a thriving independent tertiary care cardiology and internal medicine practice in Franklin Square, New York. In May 2022, Dr. Ratner partnered with Rhythm Management Group to initiate and scale a remote patient monitoring (RPM) program focused on improving care for patients with hypertension and other conditions. Ratner shares four case studies that underscore the benefits of RPM.
Case Study 1
70-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and diastolic heart failure.
- Rhythm enrolled the patient in RPM, and his BP readings were consistently in the 135/80 range.
- Rhythm alerted the practice of an upward trend in the patient’s BP, which climbed as high as 160/90.
- The practice discovered the patient’s orthopedist had started him on oral steroids.
- The practice temporarily increased the patient’s antihypertensives, resulting in his BP trending back to normal.
”I was drawn to Rhythm because of their zero downside risk model
Dr. Scott J. Ratner, MDM.D., Solo Physician
”We increased engagement with the patient, improved her health, and gave her more peace of mind and confidence in her own well-being.
Dr. Scott J. Ratner, MDM.D., Solo Physician
Case Study 2
66-year-old female patient with hypertension and a history of myocardial infarction
- The patient’s in-office BP readings were consistently in the 160/80 range.
- This was attributed to white-coat hypertension, according to the patient, and the patient resisted additional antihypertensive therapy for this reason.
- Rhythm enrolled the patient in the RPM program.
- The patient’s RPM readings confirmed consistently high BP.
- The patient accepted antihypertensive therapy.
- The patient’s BP trended back to normal and the patient noted an improved sense of well-being and functional capacity.
Case Study 3
70-year old female patient with a history of heart failure
- The patient lived alone, had a history of falls, and had difficulty securing transportation to the practice.
- The patient’s prior physician had attempted to enroll the patient in a phone-based RPM program in which she received a home blood pressure cuff and was expected to call the practice and verbally provide the readings to the practice. The patient was unable to negotiate the necessary protocol.
- Rhythm enrolled the patient in RPM and provided the patient with a BP device that automatically transmitted readings to Rhythm.
- Rhythm identified that the patient’s BP was consistently reading as low.
- The practice adjusted the patient’s medications, enabling her to become more active and less fearful of falling.
”We averted a potential disaster, such as a fall that could result in a hip fracture or other injury, and improved the patient’s health.
Dr. Scott J. Ratner, MDM.D., Solo Physician
”Remote patient monitoring obviated the need for this visit, and resulted in a positive outcome and a happier patient.
Dr. Scott J. Ratner, MDM.D., Solo Physician
Case Study 4
59-year old patient who underwent nephrectomy and lived far from the practice
- The patient was hypertensive and required additional monitoring. The patient also wasn’t eating, had nausea, and had lost weight.
- The patient lived far from the practice and couldn’t drive due to a recent surgical procedure.
- Rhythm enrolled the patient in RPM and found that the patient’s BP was consistently trending upward.
- After Rhythm alerted the practice, the practice adjusted the patient’s medication to improve control without requiring a visiting nurse.
