Covid-19 patients in South Western Sydney are having their symptoms monitored 24 hours a day with an armband in a first-of-its kind study.
The Biofourmis Everion Armband is a light-weight wearable smart device using cloud technology and artificial intelligence.
It monitors a patient’s vital signs, such as temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation remotely, giving clinicians the ability to check on patients’ conditions at all hours – just as if they were in a hospital bed.
South Western Sydney Local Health District director of strategy and partnerships and principal investigator, Professor Josephine Chow, said the ability to closely monitor patients while they were at home had a range of benefits.
“With a disease as infectious as Covid-19, we want people to stay in isolation as much as possible, but we also want to make sure they are receiving the care they need,” Professor Chow said.
“Most people with Covid-19 don’t need to be in hospital, they are able to recover at home.
“While we are in regular contact with them over the phone, this device allows real-time access to their vital signs 24 hours a day and alerts clinicians as soon as the patient’s condition becomes concerning – allowing us to provide further care or transport to hospital.”
Professor Chow said 18 people completed the pilot study and more were wearing the armbands, providing an extra layer of care to patients already receiving regular phone calls and home visits when necessary from the District’s Covid-19 team through primary and community health.
“We wanted to assess the feasibility of this device for remote monitoring. It had to be accurate and easy to use. So far the results are very promising,’’ Prof Chow said.
“The armband is allowing the safe early detection of clinical deterioration which is improving patient outcomes.
“This study is enhancing our already established virtual care and rapid response with the potential to change the way we care for people in the future and it is part of broader strategies for our hospital in the home approach.”
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In other pandemic news, NSW Health was notified late last night of a new case of Covid-19 in a Minto woman who works at a Sydney hotel complex which provides hotel quarantine for returned travellers.
The woman travelled on the train from Minto to Lidcombe and Central and on the Light Rail from Central to Darling Harbour on a number of occasions whilst potentially infectious.
NSW Health will be asking people who travelled on the below services at the following periods to get tested immediately and self-isolate, until further advised by NSW Health.
Please tell the staff at the testing clinic you are getting tested because you have been on the light rail or train services, so your test can be marked as urgent.
Light Rail:
• Friday 27 November Convention to Central at 4:01pm – 4.11pm
• Saturday 28 November Convention to Central at 3:14pm – 3.29pm
• Sunday 29 November Convention to Capitol Square 3:58pm – 4.09pm
• Sunday 29 November Capitol Square to Central 4.55pm – 5.03pm
• Monday 30 November Central to Convention 06:39am – 6.54am
• Monday 30 November Convention to Central 3.10pm – 3.26pm
Train:
• Friday 27 November Minto to Lidcombe 04:55am – 5:52am
• Friday 27 November Central to Lidcombe 4.12pm – 4.49pm
• Saturday 28 November Central to Lidcombe 3.31pm – 4.32pm
• Sunday 29 November Central to Lidcombe 5.05pm – 5.44pm
• Monday 30 November Lidcombe to Central 06:14am – 06:37am
• Monday 30 November Central to Minto 3.28pm – 4.20pm
