Remote patient monitoring and maternal health: Improving outcomes for expecting mothers

Jennifer Law, Maternal Health Venture Leader at Philips, doesn’t just bring her expertise to the table; she brings something even more compelling: her story. Her personal experience with a high-risk pregnancy exposed her to the challenges of maternal healthcare and drives her mission to improve outcomes for pregnant mothers everywhere.

During her own pregnancy, complications required additional care. Luckily, her home was steps away from Massachusetts General Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The frequent appointments, expert guidance, and proximity to care were vital to her and her baby’s health. However, as Law reflected on her experience, she realized not everyone has access to such resources. Her situation, while stressful, was still a privilege.

Those statistics paint a grim picture. The United States, unlike other developed nations, is seeing rising maternal mortality rates – in fact, a 27% increase the five years between 2018 and 2022. Delayed childbearing alongside increasing chronic conditions have contributed to higher rates of high-risk pregnancies, and maternal health outcomes often reveal stark disparities based on race. Combine these factors with a national shortage of OB-GYNs and growing maternity care deserts, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Alarmingly, 84% of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable.

Addressing these challenges is not optional; it’s urgent. This is why Philips, with a long legacy in maternal health innovation, partnered with Amerigroup, CareSource Georgia, and Peach State Health Plan, the three health plans who cover Medicaid lives in the state of Georgia. Together, they’ve embraced remote patient monitoring (RPM) to improve maternal health outcomes in underserved areas, particularly for high-risk pregnancies.

The remote patient monitoring program is designed with simplicity in mind. Once a provider identifies an eligible patient and refers them to the program, the expecting mother receives a package of pre-configured, easy-to-use devices. These could include a blood pressure monitor, weight scale, or glucose meter, depending on the patient’s unique needs. Importantly, these devices require no internet access or smartphones to operate, ensuring accessibility for all, regardless of technology constraints.

From there, a team of dedicated nurses and dieticians steps in, teaching mothers how to use their devices and passively monitoring the collected data. They're looking for red flags—an unusual spike in blood pressure, a sudden weight change, or other concerning patterns. When something seems off, the nurses are quick to act, reaching out to provide advice, recommend follow-ups, or guide the patient to seek immediate care. Beyond data monitoring, the nurses also double as coaches, offering guidance on healthy habits like managing sugar intake and staying active.

Every data point in the program is handled with care, adhering to stringent HIPAA standards for patient privacy. Any shared insights, such as those used for reporting or research purposes, are fully de-identified to protect mothers’ personal information.

One story from the program underscores the life-saving potential of RPM. A late-night blood pressure reading flagged serious concerns for one expectant mother. A nurse quickly reached out, and it became clear the mother needed urgent medical care. She was rushed to the hospital and, as doctors later confirmed, was on the brink of a severe medical emergency. Her baby had to be delivered early and required a stay in the NICU to support lung development. Thanks to timely intervention, both mom and baby ultimately went home healthy.

The success of the Georgia pilot program has not gone unnoticed. Other states are beginning to follow suit, implementing or considering the use of RPM in maternal health initiatives.

Law is optimistic about the future. She’s proud of the work Philips is doing to use technology to bridge gaps in care and is eager to see continued advancements in the field. While much of the focus on maternity care has traditionally centered on labor and delivery, she envisions a broader landscape of innovation – from fetal monitoring and ultrasounds to digital tools that improve health literacy.

The importance of ensuring equitable, accessible care for pregnant mothers cannot be overstated. Law’s personal story may have started with proximity, but her mission now focuses on breaking down barriers for every mother, no matter where she lives.

"We have the technology," she says. "We have the ability to make these interventions sooner. Why wouldn’t we do everything we can to make sure every mother gets the care she deserves?"

To learn more about Philips’ innovations in maternal health, please visit Fetal and maternal monitoring. For inquiries, you can contact Jennifer Law at Jennifer.law@philips.com.