Impact of cloud-based monitoring system on remote support for newly initiated CPAP therapy

<bold>Objective:</bold> Optimizing early support for newly initiated Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is important as early adherence predicts long-term adherence. Cloud-based monitoring system allows remote access to objective CPAP therapy data and remote adjustment of settings. We aim to evaluate how utility of this telemonitoring can impact on existing remote phone support service. <bold>Methods:</bold> We conducted a longitudinal observation study on 221 patients who were referred for CPAP initiation counselling for newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. All patients had in-person counselling sessions prior to initiation of auto-titrating PAP therapy via the Resmed Airsense 10 device. All patients had remote phone support calls by sleep technologists at 2-weeks. Sleep technologists had remote access to objective CPAP therapy data and settings during the phone calls for patients in the cloud-based monitoring (Airview) system group. Primary outcome was proportion of patients who still required a physical support session. Secondary outcome was proportion of the remote support calls that could adequately identify and address issues. <bold>Results:</bold> Patients in the cloud-based monitoring group had less physical support sessions (7.6% vs 43.4%, p=0.000). Almost all patients in the cloud-based monitoring group had their issues adequately identified and addressed via the remote support phone calls alone (97.2% vs 59.2%, p=0.000). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Incorporation of the cloud-based monitoring system into the remote phone service improved early support for patients newly initiated on CPAP therapy. Vast majority of these patients received adequate support remotely and did not need a physical visit to address their concerns.