Sensing physiological information for individual patients
Falls in the aged community have been a significant problem for many years and often result in major injury leading to disability or death. In Queensland alone, around 300 deaths and 16,000 hospital admissions per year are attributed to falls in older people [1].
In particular, falls in older people with stroke, who's conditions are often managed with medications such as vasodilators, anti-arrhythmics and diuretics are a concern. Many of these drugs result in a significant lowering of blood pressure and can lead to orthostatic or cardiac arrhythmia syncope, conditions that result in markedly increased rates of mortality and sudden death.
In responding to the needs of this group of vulnerable people, aged care clinicians and nursing staff would be significantly assisted by the use of personal and ambulatory monitoring devices to monitor patient vital signs and activity. The ability to monitor vital signs remotely would also facilitate the remote management of medications.
Devices that detect human movement are available on the market and are gaining acceptance in non-clinical environments such as sports medicine.
[1] Statewide Action Plan: Falls Prevention in Older People 2002-2006
