Haemodialysis Data Fusion
Despite current supervision as many as 25% of patients receiving haemodialysis treatment for end−stage kidney failure experience deleterious side effects including loss of blood pressure, dizziness, cramps or sickness during a treatment. In keeping with national demographics we are dialysing an ever older cohort of patients. These patients are particularly vulnerable to the detrimental aspects of haemodialysis with consequences for their health and quality of life.
Currently during dialysis treatment we intermittently monitor a patient’s temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, fluid content and weight, and sometimes also add information about their breathing rate and blood oxygen content. However, this data is collected separately and often only analysed retrospectively. We are studying whether by collecting this data continuously, integrating it and interpreting it in real time we can more accurately and rapidly predict which patients will have problems during dialysis. Early identification of those about to deteriorate coupled with appropriate interventions could result in substantially improved outcomes.
