Using Wireless Networks for Enhanced Monitoring of Patients

Patient monitoring is a major part of many healthcare services. It can reduce the number of un-necessary hospitalizations, while increasing the access to healthcare to those who really need these services. Wireless and mobile technologies are finding a role in patient monitoring in several different environments: homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. However, due to several limitations including unpredictable and spotty coverage of users by wireless networks, the quality and reliability of patient monitoring have not been highly satisfactory. In this paper, we present a patient monitoring solution using ad hoc wireless networks, which can be formed dynamically among mobile and wearable devices. This allows transmission of vital signs under normal and emergency situations. To make patient monitoring by ad hoc wireless networks a reality, we present a wireless architecture, discuss routing of emergency messages, and bring together many related technical and non-technical issues. The proposed patient monitoring solution is also designed to be reliable and implementable in the near-term.