From the Guidelines
Wearable technology for continuous patient monitoring has advanced significantly, offering healthcare providers real-time data for improved patient care, with the most recent and highest quality study suggesting that these technologies can improve patient outcomes by enabling early intervention, enhancing medication adherence, reducing hospital readmissions, and allowing for more personalized treatment plans 1. The most notable devices include ECG-enabled smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 8 and Fitbit Sense 2, which can detect irregular heart rhythms and potential atrial fibrillation, as well as continuous glucose monitors such as the Dexcom G7 and Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3, which allow diabetic patients to track blood glucose levels without frequent finger pricks, with readings available every 1-5 minutes 1. Some of the key benefits of these technologies include:
- Enabling early intervention and enhancing medication adherence
- Reducing hospital readmissions and allowing for more personalized treatment plans
- Improving patient outcomes by providing real-time data for healthcare providers
- Enhancing the clinical utility of electronic health records and AI-powered analytics platforms by identifying patterns and predicting potential health issues before they become serious 1. However, there are also some limitations and challenges associated with these technologies, such as:
- The need for improvements in signal processing algorithms to overcome limitations in the diagnosis of arrhythmias of short durations
- The potential for delays in the reporting of urgent events measured by implanted devices
- The need for extended guidelines to adopt FDA-approved consumer devices 1. Overall, the integration of wearable technology with electronic health records and AI-powered analytics platforms has the potential to revolutionize the field of continuous patient monitoring, enabling healthcare providers to provide more personalized and effective care to their patients.
From the Research
Advances in Wearable Technology
- Wearable devices have shown promise in continuous patient monitoring, allowing for early detection of clinical deterioration and timely intervention 2, 3.
- Studies have demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of wearable devices, such as ViSi Mobile and HealthPatch, in monitoring vital signs in hospitalized patients 2, 3.
- These devices have been well-received by patients and healthcare professionals, with many encouraging their use in continuous monitoring 3.
Benefits and Limitations
- The use of wearable devices for continuous monitoring has several benefits, including earlier identification of clinical deterioration, increased feelings of safety, and reduced risk of mortality 2, 3.
- However, technical problems, such as connection failure and artifacts, can limit the effectiveness of these devices 2, 3.
- Further research is needed to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of wearable devices and to integrate them into clinical practice 4, 5.
Clinical Applications
- Wearable devices have potential applications in various clinical settings, including intensive care units, general wards, and limited resource settings 5, 6.
- They can be used for continuous monitoring of physiological parameters, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, and can help detect delirium, prevent hospital-acquired pressure injuries, and improve patient outcomes 5, 6.
- The integration of wearable devices into the healthcare information ecosystem can also enhance patient monitoring and reduce the number of unplanned admissions to intensive care 6.
Future Directions
- Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of wearable devices in continuous patient monitoring 4.
- The development of more accurate and reliable wearable devices, as well as the establishment of clear guidelines for their use, are essential for widespread adoption in clinical practice 5.