September 3, 2026
In rural communities across the United States, the challenges of modern healthcare are often felt more acutely than in urban areas. Rural populations experience higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, yet they have fewer than half as many providers and about 11% as many specialists per capita as urban areas. These workforce shortages limit access to timely care and can result in longer referral wait times and greater travel distances, especially for specialty care.
Using OCHIN’s integrated technologies and knowledge solutions, clinics and hospitals across the OCHIN network are finding innovative ways to address these challenges. For example, remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs are helping expand access to care, increase patient engagement and improve health outcomes.
Meeting patients where they are without compromising quality
Patients managing chronic conditions often experience gaps in monitoring between in-person visits, which can lead to delayed intervention and poorer outcomes. Remote patient monitoring allows patients to collect and share health data with their care teams from home using connected devices and applications integrated with their OCHIN Epic electronic health record. These real-time insights give care teams greater visibility into a patient’s health in between visits, enabling providers to make proactive, evidence‑based decisions and deliver more personalized care.
RPM can help patients stay engaged and manage their health more effectively. Care teams can monitor measures such as blood pressure and glucose levels and intervene when alerted to early warning signs or concerning trends. This proactive approach can improve outcomes and reduce avoidable hospital admissions and readmissions while helping patients stay connected to their care.
Remote monitoring can also help clinics and hospitals use resources more efficiently, increasing access for patients who require in-person care.
Read more about how an OCHIN member clinic used remote patient monitoring to engage patients and improve blood pressure management.
Advancing our understanding of RPM through research and innovation
In collaboration with our member network, OCHIN has conducted patient-centered research focused on implementation strategies and the potential of RPM to improve health outcomes. Across multiple studies, key findings have emerged that now inform OCHIN’s approach to supporting remote patient monitoring programs at our member hospitals and health centers.
For example, RPM has been shown to improve blood pressure control when organizations have the support and resources needed to launch and sustain programs. As part of the REDUCE study, one community health center improved hypertension control from 33.3% to 81.5% in six months.
The REDUCE study also found that successful RPM programs depend on reliable technology, strong infrastructure and staff training to support long-term adoption and use.
In addition, analysis by OCHIN’s Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN) found that adoption of digital health tools such as remote patient monitoring, patient portals and eConsults continues to lag in rural areas. Although digital patient engagement is increasing, rural providers and patients often need targeted support for RPM programs to succeed.
Tailored solutions to help rural providers meet the moment
Informed by data and the shared experiences of our nationwide member network, OCHIN partners with clinics and hospitals to support remote patient monitoring through technology, training and consultation services.
OCHIN supports Epic integration with multiple third-party RPM tools based on each organization’s needs. Consultative services help organizations develop strategies to use RPM for community health management and chronic disease care.
From helping organizations identify patients who may benefit from RPM to supporting patient engagement and addressing factors such as access to technology and digital literacy, OCHIN’s integrated knowledge solutions help organizations improve whole-person care.
OCHIN also provides guidance on change management, multidisciplinary team structures, continuous quality improvement, and coding and billing strategies that support program sustainability. These services help hospitals and clinics establish, optimize and scale RPM programs while positioning them for appropriate reimbursement.
Through partnerships built on shared values and goals, and through collective insights powered by a shared EHR platform, the OCHIN network continues to advance rural health care transformation in communities nationwide.
Learn more
Contact us to learn how OCHIN partners with clinics and hospitals to support remote patient monitoring programs that improve access to care, health outcomes and the patient and provider experience.
