ROMTech® Innovates Home Rehabilitation for Veterans Living in Rural Areas

ROMTech®: Pioneering Home-Based Rehabilitation for Veterans

In a significant development for veterans requiring rehabilitation, ROM Technologies Inc.® (commonly known as ROMTech®) has announced an innovative model that aims to overcome critical barriers faced by veterans—particularly those living in rural communities. With nearly 40% of Veterans Affairs (VA) knee-replacement patients residing in these areas, effective rehabilitation services become all the more crucial, not just for recovery but also for improving quality of life.

The Need for Accessible Rehabilitation

According to national data, approximately 3 million veterans are enrolled in VA healthcare, with more than half of that population being aged 65 and older. This demographic relies heavily on rehabilitation services following medical procedures, such as knee replacements. However, many of these individuals are hindered by the long distances to healthcare facilities and fragmented services. A national VA study highlighted that out of 93,063 knee replacements conducted between October 2019 and July 2024, about 62.5% occurred through Community Care, which often leads to delays in scheduling and inadequate communication between various providers.

As continually pointed out by the VA Office of Inspector General, these issues create administrative burdens that can agitate the already stressful recovery process. In response, ROMTech® is leveraging its PortableConnect® Rehab System to facilitate home-based rehabilitation for veterans. This innovative system provides a direct solution that keeps patients connected with their healthcare providers while allowing for timely care delivery.

PortableConnect®: A Game-Changer in Rehabilitation

The PortableConnect system not only offers structured rehabilitation routines but also includes remote monitoring capabilities, ensuring that clinicians maintain oversight throughout a veteran's recovery journey. ROMTech® has already rolled out this technology across more than 200,000 patient homes nationwide, including individuals from 63 VA hospitals. In an internal analysis involving 35,294 patients, those using PortableConnect averaged approximately 38 sessions within the first two weeks of discharge—significantly higher than the typical 4 to 6 sessions provided through traditional ambulatory physical therapy approaches.

Results from patients utilizing this system have been promising. Self-reported data revealed a mere 2.9% overnight readmission rate and a 2.5% rate of falls resulting in injury, both considerably lower than national averages. Similarly, rates of complications such as deep-vein thrombosis and infections also fell within acceptable parameters compared to conventional outcomes. This data showcases PortableConnect® as an effective rehabilitation solution that emphasizes continuity of care and patient empowerment.

Financial Considerations and Future Implications

While travel remains a critical operational consideration for the VA, only a fraction of the $2.29 billion budget request allocated for Beneficiary Travel is accounted for in the context of rehabilitation or the needs of rural veterans. This initiative aims to bring healthcare services closer to veterans, mirroring the enhanced access provided in other VA programs like rural cancer care, which successfully reduced the travel burden on nearly 4,000 veterans and avoided over 900,000 miles of travel.

“Veterans shouldn’t have to pick between enduring long journeys to rehabilitation or foregoing it entirely,” states Peter Arn, Chief Executive Officer of ROMTech®. The PortableConnect® platform allows for a scalable extension of rehabilitation services into patients' homes, which helps alleviate the strain on both veterans and healthcare services.

About ROMTech

Founded in 2013 and based out of Brookfield, Connecticut, ROM Technologies has motivated its operations with a mission to deliver optimal patient recovery through intelligent technology and clinical precision. Its PortableConnect® system—recognized as the 2026 Best Home Health Care Solution by MedTech Breakthrough—is steering advancements in both orthopedic rehabilitation and other healthcare applications.

As ROMTech continues its pursuit of innovation and excellence, it stands as a beacon of potential change for veterans, the healthcare system, and the model of rehabilitation services. To learn more about ROMTech® and its groundbreaking technologies, visit www.ROMTech.com.