Project Summary

Ebola is a growing problem in West African countries. Although there are numerous challenges with treating Ebola, monitoring and evaluating patients and tracking patient information in a secure way are ongoing issues in Ebola treatment centers. Our solution, Proxome, addresses these challenges through creating a secure patient monitoring device. Proxome is comprised of a Bluetooth low energy beacon attached to a patient wristband. The beacon is paired to a beeper that will alarm the health care worker when a patient's heart rate and temperature exceeds a designated level. The beeper has a small microphone attached to it and voice pairs a connection with the beacon. The beeper will be worn under the PPE and both the beeper and the beacons are reusable and can be disinfected in Chlorine. Estimated costs are approximately $10 per beacon and $50 per beeper. Beacons will have a one year battery life.

Feedback from field workers in West African Ebola treatment centers have reported how beneficial this monitoring device would be. If implemented immediately, thousands of lives could be saved. Proxome will improve patient monitoring and evaluation for staff and provide a robust interface to labs, charting, and messaging systems needed in this Ebola outbreak. The implementation of a monitoring device allows healthcare workers to assist patients needing immediate attention while maximizing their time.

Forum

Principle Uses

• Monitoring patients in clinics and hospitals
• Keeping patient identification secure
• Data collection on patient temperature and heart rate