For some high-risk patients hospital monitoring technology can be life-saving. Yet, that same technology can also be cumbersome and uncomfortable, to say nothing of the excruciating bill that arrives later. Patients who choose to stay home, however, risk having nothing but a phone with which to ensure immediate attention, should it become warranted, is not really a good option. Now, thanks to a group of scientists, spearheaded by Todd Coleman, a third option is available. This third option is no bigger than a finger, bendable and based on similar technology as that found in electronic chips. Skin-applicable, this “tattoo is no thicker than a human hair follicle. Yet, it keeps track of the same data as those, impressive, yet cumbersome, hospital machines. Nor does it require adhesive, because the adhesive is part of the data-collecting patch itself. Because of its small size and ease of use, the patient can go on with his, or her, life, outside of the hospital. Wireless transmitting ensures that the patient’s medical data is gathered, so that Intervention can be accomplished in a timely fashion, if needed. Legitimate concerns about data-streaming costs and privacy can be addressed by creating a patient intermediary, such as a nurse/coach, who can also advocate for the patient. This method bypasses the usual “cloud” option, which is generally more attractive to hackers. Insurers are recognizing the potential of this technology, as it has the potential to streamline costs, assist with hospital efficiency, create a better quality of life for patients and ultimately save lives.
Key Points of Video:
- 1There is a wearable device being created that can monitor health from home, thus allowing a patient to leave the hospital sooner and still be under a doctor’s care.
- 2This wearable monitor is small, light, embedded into a hospital adhesive, and contains extreme technology that is beyond anything we have seen up to this point.
- 3As with all new inventions, there are areas of concern such as reliability of data, method of collecting the medical data and information security. These areas are being addressed with success.