Enabling ubiquitous patient monitoring: Model, decision protocols, opportunities and challenges

• Published in: Decision Support Systems Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 606 - 619
• Main Authors: Sneha, Sweta, Varshney, Upkar
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.2009; Elsevier; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Ad hoc wireless networks; Applied sciences; Computer science; control theory; systems; Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface; Control theory. Systems; Decision support systems; Decision theory. Utility theory; Disease management; Exact sciences and technology; Health care industry; Healthcare; Multiple criteria decision making; Operational research and scientific management; Operational research. Management science; Patient monitoring; Process control. Computer integrated manufacturing; Software; Studies; Technology; Telemedicine; United States > US; Patient monitoring; Healthcare; Technology; Ad hoc wireless networks; Human; Pervasive computing; Script; Disease; Decision making; GNP; Artefact; Conceptual analysis; Operating conditions; Leveraging; Surveillance; Wireless network; Ad hoc network; Monitoring; Public health
• ISSN: 0167-9236; 1873-5797
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dss.2008.11.014

Healthcare costs in the US are approximately 15% of GNP and are anticipated to reach 17% of GNP in the near future. Management of chronic diseases via technology based ubiquitous patient monitoring services has been widely proposed as a viable option for economizing healthcare resources, and providing efficient, quality healthcare. The process of ubiquitous patient monitoring is information intensive, the information generated is not only fragmented but also spans multiple processes, artifacts, parameters, and decision criteria. The current study explores the complexities associated with the process of ubiquitous patient monitoring and the enabling technologies. The key contribution is a framework that captures the complex processes, the parameters involved, and the decision criteria for ubiquitous patient monitoring. The decision protocols and enabling technologies supporting the processes are detailed in the study along with the opportunities and challenges of ubiquitous patient monitoring. A conceptual model of ubiquitous patient monitoring is developed by leveraging the proposed framework and is validated by a usage scenario. Finally, the implications of future research and contributions of the current research are discussed.