RTM- what does that mean?

In your Hucu channels, you will see us share "Non-Standard Messages from RTM". It is important for the therapy team to know what is and why it is there!

RTM- means Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

It is our way of tracking progress and outcomes with the patient by texting either the patient, caregiver, or family 1x per day to have them answer one easy question. The questions look like they are coming from the therapist.

This can be geared towards pain, falls, or have they completed their Home Exercise Program, and so much more.

Most questions are answered with one word, yes/no, easy/hard, etc.

What do you need to do for your patients when you see RTM non-standard messages or patients ask you about our texting stream?

Encourage, Motivate, Connect

EVERY visit- ask the patient 2 important questions, have you been doing your HEP and also are you responding( or to the caregiver/family) to the daily messages? If they ask why or that they don't like it, share with them this is our way of ensuring compliance, tracking progress and seeing your input on outcomes through the therapy process these texts will stop after the therapy is completed and we see how you are doing on your own.

Help them- take their phone, check the messages, and help them reply- it becomes habit for them to answer.

What if they text something more to their therapist?

We call these non-standard responses and LifeCare Admin is checking every day to see what the patients are saying. If someone reports pain, or a fall, or any other information you would need to know. This will be put in the patient's Hucu channel so you can see right away. We have seen great conversations in RTM where the patients are saying important information on days they are not seen for therapy.

Who can and who cant do RTM?

We are currently only doing RTM with Medicare patients who have a cell phone or a family/caregiver with a cell phone. Non-Medicare patients are not enrolled. If a patient doesn't have a cell phone on file. If you have a patient you feel needs this program and has a cell we are not aware of , let us know!

If you have a question about RTM please let us know but this is a great tool that we are excited about, our physicians are excited about and we are seeing great responses. We have something that is meaningful, connecting with our patients even on our off therapy days, creating a way to monitor their progress.