Non-Contact Monitoring of Older Patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Non-Contact Health and Activity Monitoring to Support Care of Older and Frail Patients in Hospital and Institutional Settings
IRAS ID
236078
Contact name
Jordan Bowen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxehealth Ltd
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Monitoring vital signs of patients is a basic component of healthcare. Age-old measures such as pulse rate measuring have been supplemented over the years with technologically-derived measures such as pulse oximetry to map recovery and alert to changes in patient condition. Most routine vital sign monitoring involves a healthcare worker connecting patients to electronic equipment. Vulnerable, older and frail patients may inhabit patient environments which make this ‘contact’ monitoring difficult or undesirable, and yet are most likely to benefit from the early warning and illness mapping that monitoring offers.
A ‘non-contact’ monitoring system (NCMS) uses a single digital video camera to monitor vital signs without needing to be physically connected to patients. Software processes visual information including movement and location data to add ‘contextual’ information not currently captured by contact monitoring systems. It is unobtrusive and minimises interference with patient care and mobility, while infra-red illumination allows the technology to work in all lighting conditions.
In this study, we hypothesise that a NCMS can accurately detect vital signs and location information for patients in single-occupancy rooms in hospital or in a care home. Such information may support patient care and help identify activity leading to the prevention of falls and other harms of hospitalisation. Non-contact monitoring equipment will be installed on the wall or ceiling of single rooms in an inpatient hospital ward and a nursing home. Patients admitted to these rooms will be enrolled into the study after informed consent (or consultation with consultee if unable to consent). The NCMS will unobtrusively monitor and securely collect video data for 12 hours and additional salient data thereafter. The system's ability to detect if a patient has got out of bed, along with vital sign monitoring, will be assessed. Interviews with patients and staff will capture their responses to this technology.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0221
Date of REC Opinion
20 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion