News : NHS and Wearables.

[BandOfBrothers]

NHS and Wearables.

It looks to be possible that their will be free Wi-Fi across all participating NHS hospitals and wearables for patients.

Participating hospitals with Wi-Fi would let the NHS use wearables to monitor a patients vital statistics while in hospital.

This part grabbed my attention as I'm diabetic.

Diabetics patients could wear small skin sensors that track blood sugar thus remotely alerting doctors in the hospital of potential problems before they become a problem.

And apparently in regards to the doctors and nurses looking after a patient the Wi-Fi service would let them use Tablets to cut down on paper and get things done on the move and save time for them and the patient.

My only concern would be that they are encrypted to preserve patient information and the sad fact that unfortunately they could be targeted for theft.

Im liking how the NHS are moving forward and embrace technology.

So maybe in not the too distant future a patient in casualty or being admitted to hospital won't just have a wrist band tag attached but also some form of smart band / watch style tech.

Medical files are going digital so if you’re on a away from your local area and unfortunately end up in Casualty the doctors treating you can see your Medical notes from your own hospital. A massive plus if a patients unconscious or confused.

Just another way modern Technology is being used to better help us.

[hrym]

I'm terribly wary of online databases.   They far too frequently end badly!   Encryption needs to be ultra-strong and the people doing the specifying need to understand that and not be blinded by the whizzy technology.   Generally, though, this is a good idea and I'm sure it'll gain traction.   There are some monitoring devices that communicate with your local surgery already, aren't there?

It's not all that long since hospitals had strict notices about turning off mobile phones, and now they're offering free wifi (mine does). :smileyhappy:

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi

Thank you for your thoughts.

Yes I totally agree that privacy / security settings would need to be applied and auto applied ie not dependant if the Dr or Nurse remembers to lock the tablet.

I've been watching a few posts from our Friends across the pond. They say that some use the  watch to send data direct to their Dr's Surgery so the practice can see what exercise etc is being carried out by their patient.

Still in its infancy but certainly has potential.

My hospital still has those 'Turn off Mobiles' wall posters but maybe what a mobile potentially affected in a hospital has been shielded ? Maybe.

I think it's also a case of not disturbing other patients whilst using a mobile phone.

Like 'quiet carriages' on a train.

[drey_p]

My colleague recently had a heart operation which resulted in a pacemaker being fitted.  They were able to monitor his heart remotely whilst he was at home and make adjustments to the settings on the pacemaker without the need for him to go in to see the specialist.  

They were also able to monitor things like his sleeping patterns and he was quite surprised one morning when they called him up and advised him that he didn't have a good night's sleep and needed to take it easy that day.  

It's all very Orwellian....