Bioengineering, Innovation & Technology
The BIT cross-cutting theme has initiated projects in two main areas: Telehealth and Data Fusion.
Telehealth
Telehealth projects use mobile phone technology to enable rapid communication between patients living independently and their heathcare advisors. Studies are progressing in patients with diabetes and in patients who have had chemotherapy (to monitor their side-effects). Self-monitoring of patients' signs and symptoms will measure individuals’ response to their condition and use those measurements to tailor a treatment plan, adjust and improve the way the person is being treated. It is hoped that the personalised approach to treatment will improve survival rates and the quality of life for people living with long-tem conditions. Data Fusion
There are three data fusion studies in emergency care, haemodialysis and cancer care. Each plans to use new automated computing tools and associated protocols to provide a robust and reliable system to monitor patients more frequently but less intrusively. The aim is to identify a pattern of vital signs and symptoms which tends to precede a deteriorating clinical picture. The integrated data will provide an early warning system to enable healthcare workers to act promptly to deliver appropriate care. Early detection and rapid escalation of care is important to reduce the number of preventable deaths and substantially improve patient outcomes. An added benefit is that the clear and consistent data output will enable accurate and meaningful communication between staff at a level of quality and consistency much higher than is currently possible.
