Automatic Remote Home Monitoring (e.g. Merlin) Outsourced

I posted before about being informed that Rhythm Management Group in Washington D.C. or Maryland taking over control of my Merlin remote monitor check ups.  Here's what happened. I received an "appointment" reminder for a remote PM check at another hospital's cardiac department. I called my PM clinic, they said I don't do anything, they automatically get it from the Merlin.  Yesterday I  got a MyChart notification for an "After Visit Summary".  All it says is, "You were seen on such and such date. The following issue was addressed: Cardiac pacemaker in situ." and "Progress Notes: SJM PM REMOTE"  Nothing else.

I called my PM clinic and my nurse said if that is all it says it means it's good. The only thing else she could see all is battery life is 9-1/2 years (Yeah! Great news!).  I asked about opting out of this outsourced service and coming in to the clinic which is very near me. I can, but then my Merlin remote monitor would not be used at all, and I would come in every 3 months. I don't think that's good for me yet as it is only 6 months after my first PM and I am still adjusting to it.  I can and did request a more detailed report that will be mailed to me, I think. I forgot to ask if the remote data is even looked at at all between the remote "visits".  The other hospital location is only used for billing purposes ... so my insurance (and ultimately us) will receive a bill for this. I haven't got anything on that part yet. 

Web searching appears the company to be all about marketing to clinics, doctors and hospitals, stock website photos, lots of travel and trade shows, self-promoting Facebook and Twitter posts with some passed-along of-interest articles. myrhythmnow.com 

2 Comments

remote home monitoring

by new to pace.... - 2024-07-03 17:12:50

Most use this method now.  The quartely one is so they can get paid.  I just ask for the log events and the summary page.  which tells me all i need to know.  other wise it is mostly graphs which are hard to read.  If there is a problem your Dr's will contact you.  If you do not hear from them all is good.

new to pace

Remote monitoring

by piglet22 - 2024-07-04 04:58:17

Over the years I've had my device, there has been a steady decline in the device aftercare service.

Face to face clinics were frequent and local. Then the local clinic closed involving more travel, then finally the face to face clinics stopped replaced by"virtual device clinics" with a bedside monitor.

This is the consequence of cost cutting rather than improving care.

I don't get full reports. I haven't asked but I get the impression it wouldn't be welcomed.

There is also a policy of only being contacted if something looks wrong.

It might not bother some, but I feel cut off from the personal contact.

I've been let down by them before and I have lost confidence in the service.

The bedside monitor is old as is the pacemaker and any transmission has to be manually initiated. If you were incapacitated in an emergency, you couldn't send data.

Bear in mind that the UK and USA medical systems are different.

UK funding is a constant problem and cost cutting goes hand in hand with it.

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

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