Wearable devices for remote monitoring of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Vietnam

Abstract

Patients with severe COVID-19 disease require monitoring with pulse oximetry as a minimal requirement. In many low- and middle- income countries, this has been challenging due to lack of staff and equipment. Wearable pulse oximeters potentially offer an attractive means to address this need, due to their low cost, battery operability and capacity for remote monitoring. Between July and October 2021, Ho Chi Minh City experienced its first major wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to an unprecedented demand for monitoring in hospitalized patients. We assess the feasibility of a continuous remote monitoring system for patients with COVID-19 under these circumstances as we implemented 2 different systems using wearable pulse oximeter devices in a stepwise manner across 4 departments.

Keywords: COVID-19; Low-middle-income countries; Pulse oximetry; Wearable monitoring; resource-limited.

Figure 1.. Schematic representation of the monitoring systems used.

Wearable pulse oximeters were connected with tablet/phones placed either by the bedside or nearby (outside room). These connected through either screen mirroring applications or direct wireless connections to enable remote viewing by medical staff in central staff workstations.

Figure 2.. Figure showing stepwise scale up of wearable monitoring within hospital departments (Stacked bars).

System A was introduced in Departments E (dark blue), AICU (grey) and A (light blue) with system B in Department D (green). Solid area represents cumulative new admissions to these 4 departments during the month.