Health Notify: An Integrated System for Remote Patient Monitoring and Emergency Alert in Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract

This study introduces an integrated portable system capable of continuous heart rate (HR) monitoring and alert transmission via short message service (SMS) through cellular networks using an Android application. With the advent of an aging society, there has been a surge in elderly individuals seeking medical care at hospitals. The majority of elderly patients, including those with limited mobility, require hospital admission and become bedridden. However, the available bed capacity is insufficient to accommodate all these patients. Consequently, many are compelled to receive treatment at home, a practice known as home care. The challenge with home care is the absence of constant nursing supervision and the lack of appropriate medical equipment for monitoring patients as effectively as in a hospital setting.[1] This situation is concerning because some patients may not exhibit visible physical symptoms. The system proves particularly valuable in scenarios where medical facilities are scarce (such as rural areas) and when patients may be unaware of their deteriorating cardiac state. The developed system displays real-time HR data on a mobile device through an Android application and promptly notifies pre-registered doctors and family members via SMS if abnormal HR patterns are detected. This device ensures uninterrupted surveillance of cardiac events and immediate alert dissemination during emergencies. [2]