Goodness E.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Institute for Intelligent Systems has developed a tech-driven toolkit to assist healthcare practitioners to monitor and diagnose patients, reports IT Web.
The device is named e-mutakalo, the Tshivenda word for “Health”.
The new smart toolkit collects, processes and analyses real-time vital signs. UJ says that this means it can automatically detect problems and alert medical staff in case of an emergency.
Wesley Doorsamy, associate professor and researcher at UJ’s Institute or Intelligent Systems, says that the device brings together technologies of 4IR in order to make a real impact in society.
“This technology allows for a more natural and unobtrusive approach to continuous monitoring and observation of patients, as it works on the principle of non-invasive monitoring. It uses wireless sensor nodes, ambient intelligence techniques to monitor the patient’s comfort and condition, and it is able to detect and diagnose problems,” he says.
The smart toolkit assists in the event of a patient seeking urgent medical attention while a healthcare practitioner or care provider is on an interval between patients, Doorsamy adds.
“This device has in-built capability to automatically alert the responsible medical staff, treating doctor and others.”
The system also allows the accurate recording of patient data, as well as the seamless sharing of this data amongst healthcare providers. Doorsamy notes that AI plays a major role in the delivery of health services. “AI has already transformed some areas of health and medicine towards clinical decision-making.”
“We trust that the rollout of the wearable sensing technologies might serve as a foundation for value-based care approaches while improving the outcome and efficiency of healthcare delivery,” he says.
Recently UJ has decided to suspend all classes and ceremonies until further notice. This is in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of a national state of disaster in response to COVID-19.
Credits: IT News Africa
