Impact of Remote Cardiac Monitoring on Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Global Cardiovascular Carbon Footprint Project

Abstract

BackgroundRemote monitoring (RM) of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is efficient and requires fewer resources than conventional monitoring. However, the impact of RM on the carbon footprint (CF) is not known. ObjectivesThe authors sought to evaluate the reduction in cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with RM as compared to conventional monitoring of CIEDs and its relevance to CF. MethodsData were obtained from a third-party RM provider on 32,811 patients from 67 device clinics across the United States. Distance from home address to the device clinic for patients on RM was calculated. Savings in total distance traveled over 2 years was calculated using frequency of follow-up required for the device type. National fuel efficiency data and carbon emission data were obtained from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and U.S. Environmental Protective Agency, respectively. The average gas price during the study period was obtained from U.S. Energy Information Administration. ResultsIn the study population, RM resulted in a total saving of 31.7 million travel miles at $3.45 million and reduction of 12,518 metric ton of GHG from gasoline. There was a reduction of 14.2-million-page printouts, $3 million in cost, and 78 tons of GHG. Improvement in workforce efficiency with RM resulted in savings of $3.7 million. There was a net saving of $10.15 million and 12,596 tons of GHG emissions. ConclusionsRM of patients with a CIED resulted in significant reductions in GHG emissions. Efforts to actively promoting RM can result in significant reduction in CF.