Patient Monitoring Is Going Wireless in Europe

Heightened awareness of the benefits of remote monitoring, combined with the growing popularity of patient homecare, is likely to boost the uptake of wearable wireless patient monitoring systems.

According to Aarati Ajay, a senior research analyst at Frost & Sullivan (London, UK), an international consulting firm, technologic developments that will support improved patient flexibility while offering substantial cost savings to healthcare authorities are likely to support these trends. As a technology that helps reduce the tremendous cost burdens on hospital authorities, wireless networking has been widely adopted by healthcare facilities across Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Technologic advances that enable superior product development will further encourage uptake levels.

Wearable wireless monitoring systems have significantly improved patient mobility in comparison with traditional telemetry systems, and also have the advantage of being less restrictive physically. Sophisticated wireless wearable sensor networks are likely to diminish concerns over the reliability of vital signs data transmitted, and networks that could ensure the safety and integrity of such data could drive adoption levels over the next five to seven years, with growth opportunities arising in hospital as well as homecare settings.

In addition to enhancing patient comfort, speeding the recovery process, and supporting greater patient flows to cost-effective homecare settings, wireless systems are also helping avoid the very high costs involved in the laying of wires and cables in hospitals, said Mr. Ajay. There needs to be a consensus with regards to the wireless models required, interoperability issues, and security standards that should be used in these devices.

Also, concerns linger about regulatory challenges, mainly due to the high outlays involved in the process of accumulating the cost-benefit data needed in order to receive regulatory approvals.



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