AIIMS- Rishikesh, BEL develop system to remotely monitor health of COVID-19 patients

With the increasing number of cases in India, medical and paramedical staff in hospitals are facing an overload of patients. To ease their burden, AIIMS and BEL have devised 'Remote Health Monitoring System'. This technically advanced system can reduce the chance of contagion and will allow doctors to focus on emergency cases.

Hyderabad:The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Rishikesh and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru have developed a Remote Health Monitoring System that can be installed at homes or hospitals to monitor COVID-19 patients.

The patients’ temperature, pulse, blood oxygen levels and respiratory rate are monitored through telemedicine by doctors. Necessary precautions and treatments would be suggested.

With the increasing number of cases in India, medical and paramedical staff in hospitals are facing an overload of patients. To ease their burden, AIIMS and BEL have devised this system.

The scientists at BEL have developed an app which detects temperature, pulse rate and other parameters through sensors. The information recorded through these sensors will be passed on to the doctors. Putting one sensor on the wrist and the other near heart allows the doctors to monitor the patient’s health condition on their mobile phones or laptops. The sensor kits will be given to the COVID-19 suspects when they come for a hospital checkup. Family members will be told how to administer medicines.

As a result, the patient can receive treatment at home without visiting the hospital. This way, family members can also reduce interaction with the patient. The system was designed using the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technologies. Information from lakhs of patients can be relayed at once through the sensors.

Doctors can provide timely treatment using the app. Patients can be relieved of the heartache of isolation wards in hospitals. By following hygienic practices and social distancing, the patients can recover quickly. This system reduces the risk of infection among doctors and nurses as the medical staff have no physical contact with the patient.

Dr Mohit, MD Radiology Department, AIIMS Rishikesh said that this technically advanced system can ease the burden of hospitals and medical staff. It reduces the chance of contagion. Doctors will have the flexibility to focus on emergency cases. The product is awaiting clinical validation.