Smart toolkit helps patients

THE health-care industry is undergoing many changes that pose new challenges to large and smaller health-care establishments, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) said.

This prompted its Institute Intelligent Systems (IIS) to conduct research and develop an intelligent, low-cost, smart toolkit that may assist health-care practitioners monitor and diagnose patients.

The device, named e-mutakalo (Venda word for “health”) collects, processes and analyses real-time vital signs data. The device can automatically detect problems and alert the medical staff in the event of an emergency.

Associate professor and researcher at UJ’s IIS, Wesley Doorsamy, said the device brought together technologies of the fourth industrial revolution to make a real impact in society.

“This technology allows for a more natural and unobtrusive approach to continuous monitoring and observation of patients, as it works on the principle of noninvasive monitoring. It uses wireless sensor nodes, ambient intelligence techniques to monitor the patient’s comfort and condition and it is able to detect and diagnose problems.”

Doorsamy said the technology was especially for patients seeking medical attention, while health-care practitioners or care providers were on intervals between patients.

“This device has the in-built capability to automatically alert the medical staff, doctor and others.

“Artificial intelligence plays a major role in health services. AI has already transformed some areas of health and medicine towards clinical decision-making.

“We trust that the rollout of the wearable sensing technologies might serve to improve the outcome and efficiency of health-care delivery.”

It is a cost-effective innovation in the health-care practice. |