WEARABLE technology that monitors vital signs is being used on coronavirus patients on the isolation ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The patch, which measures respiratory rate, and wrist-worn pulse oximeter, to measure pulse rate and oxygen saturation, is linked by Bluetooth to a tablet computer.

It allows nurses to keep track of patients remotely, and limits their exposure to the virus.

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Led by Professor Peter Watkinson and Professor Lionel Tarassenko, the team have been developing and testing the concept of a virtual High-Dependency Unit (vHDU) for the past 18 months.

Professor Watkinson said: “It became clear at the end of February that the technology and software developed for the vHDU research project could be adapted for the isolation ward for Covid-19 patients in the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Oxford Mail:

The anonymised real-time patient status dashboard showing the vital signs of four isolated patients on the John Warin ward

"For those Covid-19 patients who do not need to be ventilated, it is important for their recovery that they remain mobile, so the wearable technology is ideal.”

The aims of this approach are twofold: to reduce the burden on nursing staff, allowing them to perform vital-sign observations for high-risk patients at the same rate as for lower-risk patients, and to improve early detection when a patient’s vital signs become abnormal.

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The system went live on March 23, with anonymised real-time patient status dashboard showing the vital signs of four isolated patients on the John Warin ward.

Sarah Vollam, a Critical Care Nurse Researcher, said: “The nurses are very keen to use it to enhance not only their patients’ safety but also their own, by limiting their exposure to the virus.”