Shahid Akhter, editor, ETHealthworld, spoke to Hari Subramaniam, Founder & Director, LifeSigns, to figure out the current trends in remote patient monitoring that are poised to propel healthcare to the next level.
Remote patient monitoring: Latest advancements
In the past, patient monitoring primarily relied on manual procedures. Nurses were responsible for periodically checking on patients, often relying on their expertise to identify potential issues just by observing the patients. Various manual devices were used to track and assess vital parameters, although this method was not entirely free of potential errors. Monitoring intervals were determined based on the patient’s condition. However, with the advent of remote patient monitoring technology, the landscape has changed significantly. Continuous monitoring through IoT devices has become the norm, enabling round-the-clock monitoring of all vital signs.
Remote patient monitoring: Challenges
Certainly, numerous challenges arise due to the need for individuals, particularly nurses, to comprehend and adapt to the technology. An essential hurdle involves ensuring that nurses perceive the technology as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for their roles. This perception shift remains a persistent issue in hospitals and among paramedics. Furthermore, the continuous influx of new IoT devices, technological advancements, and software adds to the complexity. This constant introduction of new elements often leaves professionals feeling perplexed, necessitating thorough testing before making critical decisions, especially in life-and-death scenarios. Despite these challenges, there remains little choice but to confront and overcome these obstacles through practical experience. Remote patient monitoring: Opportunities
The opportunities are immense. Presently, in a country with a population of 1.4 billion people, the potential is enormous, particularly considering the existing infrastructure. Much like our advancements in UPI and mobile technology, we anticipate propelling healthcare to the next level. Leveraging a combination of various devices, software, and enhanced connectivity, the possibilities are abundant. Furthermore, the provision of real-time data adds significant value to the entire process. Consequently, while challenges do exist, the opportunities are abundant and promising.Intelligent ambulance
Our concept of the intelligent ambulance is not merely about transporting patients from one location to another swiftly. Instead, it signifies a paradigm shift where the ambulance serves as a hub of comprehensive data transmission to the clinician or hospital while en route. Today, this vision is becoming a reality, hinting at a future where the ambulance itself will function as a mobile clinic, equipped with advanced devices and technology that can relay crucial patient information to a remotely situated doctor in real time. This transformation presents the opportunity for timely interventions and the potential to harness the advantages of technology, thus making the concept of the intelligent ambulance a reality.
Uninterrupted Health Monitoring
Presently, we possess the technology to achieve uninterrupted and continuous patient monitoring with minimal latency, marking a significant milestone in the healthcare sector. This advancement enables doctors, clinicians, and nurses to access a constant stream of data without any interruptions or blind spots, ensuring that no critical information is missed. This real-time data flow is instrumental in providing comprehensive insights that contribute to a reduction in critical events such as code blues and readmissions to ICUs. The key lies in the continuous data flow coupled with advanced algorithms capable of analyzing the data stream, thereby allowing for the timely identification of potential health issues before they escalate. This aspect holds immense significance, especially considering the substantial healthcare expenditure currently directed towards managing patients in critical conditions. With seamless and uninterrupted data at hand, a more proactive approach to healthcare becomes feasible, potentially reducing the need for extensive medical intervention and emphasizing the importance of preventive measures.
LifeSigns: Journey
Prior to commencing, it’s worth noting that the emergence of COVID brought both advantages and challenges. While it presented various setbacks, including mobility restrictions and limited access to hospitals. But on the other hand, we took a road trip across different regions in India which proved to be enlightening. The insights gathered during this period significantly contributed to the growth of our products today. Based on the extensive feedback received from hospitals, doctors, nurses, and clinicians during the pandemic, we meticulously identified and addressed a comprehensive range of issues, challenges, and gaps. This exhaustive assessment guided the development of our products, enabling them to attain a level of maturity where they have garnered widespread acceptance across diverse healthcare settings, be it government-run, public, or state-of-the-art private hospitals.
Initially, our focus was on inpatient monitoring, particularly the critical patients within hospital premises. This phase served as a foundational IoT test, paving the way for subsequent expansions. Subsequently, we ventured into incorporating our solutions in operation theaters and during various medical procedures, ensuring seamless patient monitoring throughout. Now, our capabilities have extended to post-surgical home monitoring, allowing patients to be continuously monitored even after they have returned home, with the hospital maintaining oversight. Moreover, our latest endeavor involves the implementation of intelligent ambulances, where patient monitoring begins from the moment of pick-up or initial hospital encounter. This comprehensive approach reflects our commitment to covering the entire spectrum of patient monitoring, starting from critical patients and gradually encompassing pediatric and diverse healthcare cases, including cancer care and neurological conditions. While our emphasis was previously on patients above the age of 10, we are now directing our efforts toward developing solutions for pediatric patients as well. Currently, we are also exploring the potential of utilizing biosensors for fetal monitoring, further expanding the scope of our offerings.
