The Impacts of Remote Monitoring Applications on Healthcare Digitalization and Quality of Care in Norway: Assessing the Implementation Process, Staff Efficiency, and System Integration across three Norwegian Municipalities

Abstract

The study explores the implementation of Remote Monitoring Applications (RMAs), focusing on Somnofy, a contactless sleep monitoring device, and its impact on digital transformation and quality of care (QoC) in Blå Kors, Akershus Universitetssykehus, and Volda Municipality, Norway. The technology provider, VitalThings, uses a structured process for distributing and implementing Somnofy. Differences in implementation among stakeholders were observed: Blå Kors and Volda Municipality showed successful integration with significant improvements in patient monitoring and staff efficiency, while Akershus Universitetssykehus faced challenges due to its complex infrastructure. The findings indicate that Somnofy enhances staff efficiency by reducing the need for physical checks, allowing staff to focus on critical tasks. System integration is effective in places such as Volda Municipality, where continuous remote monitoring informs better care decisions and reduces unnecessary physical checks. However, manual documentation remained a challenge due to the lack of automated integration with existing patient journal systems. Utilizing Socio-Technical Systems (STS) Theory, the study emphasizes the importance of integrating both social and technical subsystems to achieve optimal outcomes. It also contributes to Responsible Innovation (RI) by highlighting the need for stakeholder engagement and inclusivity in the innovation process. Despite challenges such as resistance to new technology and technical issues, the implementation of Somnofy significantly enhances digital transformation and QoC. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and technology developers, supporting the broader adoption of digital health technologies and offering a thorough analysis of optimizing digital health interventions.