Portable remote vital signs monitoring and AI-based risk analysis platform for use in care facilities for vulnerable patient assessment in response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Covid-19 poses the greatest threat to people with existing underlying conditions and the elderly, where strict social distancing protocols offer the best protection from infection. The NHS has been discharging these patients from hospital care in an effort to protect these members of society from the impact of the virus and to free up critical resources, with a doubling of ICU capacity required to treat critically ill Covid-19 patients (NHSE, 2020). However, it is vitally important that the NHS maintains the ability to monitor the health of these citizens (including those with symptoms of Covid-19) to ensure that their overall health is not impacted by the lack of face-to-face healthcare provision in this challenging period. To alleviate pressure on the NHS and global healthcare systems, there is an opportunity for remote vital sign monitoring systems that allow healthcare professionals to monitor low-risk patients without the need of risking further hospitalisation (chance for infection and reduced clinical outcomes).

However, there are currently no systems on the market that offer a comprehensive monitoring suite capable of replacing hospital observations systems in elderly and vulnerable patients with no-life-threatening conditions and at a cost-effective price point.

Rinicare aims to test the feasibility of combing two novel but associated technologies; a portable vital sign monitoring system and AI-based health risk analysis software which have been designed for compatibility from the outset. This project will accelerate the development of a system for a use-case directly relevant to the current Covid-19 pandemic. The technology overcomes current adoption barriers, offering a comprehensive and portable vital sign monitoring suite with the ability to provide advanced warning for certain life-threatening conditions at a cost-effective price point.

With market need validated (through preliminary discussions with healthcare providers and end-users) and building on two innovative technologies, this project will develop an early prototype to validate concepts. This novel solution has the potential to completely revolutionise the way in which non-life-threatened patients are treated in the healthcare system, allowing hospitals to monitor patients remotely without compromising on clinical care and ensuring that their best interest is looked after (lower risk of infection and comfort improvements). Rinicare aims to deploy this technology, directly targeting both the NHS and Care Commissioning Groups (CCGs) as well as care homes who are looking to provide their residents with additional support.