Desperate to free up beds for only the sickest COVID-19 patients, hospitals nationwide are weighing the use of new technologies to monitor patients from their homes.

Physicians at several hospitals said their discussions with makers of these devices have kicked into high gear in recent days after the FDA issued guidance indicating it would not object to modifications in the use or functionality of remote patient monitoring tools during the outbreak.

Such tools rely on software and smartphones to track patients’ blood pressure, breathing, and temperature, as well as the functioning of their lungs, heart, and other vital organs.

Most hospitals are already dramatically expanding the use of video and phone visits with patients, but remote monitoring of objective biological measures is considered the next step in their response.

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