UZ Leuven tests new sensor to monitor patients in the hospital and at home

On 16 September 2021 the Nightingale research consortium will present the results of a large-scale trial into patient monitoring. After a selection of more than a hundred candidates, the choice went to a wireless reusable sensor that is attached to the sternum.   

UZ Leuven played a leading part in the choice of sensors to be tested further. Prof. dr. Frank Rademakers, principal Nightingale investigator for UZ Leuven: “There is a lot of talk about wearables and patient monitoring, but this is the first time a sensor was tested this extensively in the hospital's clinical practice. At UZ Leuven we tested the sensor at the thoracic surgery department, more specifically in patients with esophageal cancer and pleural tumours. Meanwhile another project will introduce the use of the device in the cardiac surgery department and in time we want to use these types of sensors throughout the hospital. It is a enormous step forward for the continuity of care we want to provide for our patients.” The fact that the same system can be used both in the hospital and at home, is hugely beneficial in terms of continuity and ease of use for the patients. 

Smart analysis equipment

With this sensor, physicians want to be able to respond quickly to the patient's health status. The device monitors heart rate, oxygen saturation and respiration rate, but also temperature, exercise and posture. Professor Rademakers: “This provides a very wide data-set about the patient. Smart analysis devices enable you to detect dangerous parameters or a sudden decline of the patient quickly. In some hospitals the sensor was also used in COVID-19 patients, for whom measuring oxygen and respiration is very important. As a result, patients that would otherwise have had to stay in the hospital could go home already, freeing up beds for patients that were iller.”

At the free online symposium of 16 September researchers will share their results and experiences about early warning and monitoring with physicians, companies and hospitals. It will address patient and physician experiences, as well as the many challenges of patient monitoring in terms of development and implementation. Everyone interested in monitoring patients at home or in the hospital can register via www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/remote-wireless-patient-monitoring. The Nightingale research project was financed by the European commission Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No727534..