A fuzzy model for processing and monitoring vital signs in ICU patients

Biomed Eng Online. 2011 Aug 3:10:68. doi: 10.1186/1475-925X-10-68.

Abstract

Background: The area of the hospital automation has been the subject of much research, addressing relevant issues which can be automated, such as: management and control (electronic medical records, scheduling appointments, hospitalization, among others); communication (tracking patients, staff and materials), development of medical, hospital and laboratory equipment; monitoring (patients, staff and materials); and aid to medical diagnosis (according to each speciality).

Methods: In this context, this paper presents a Fuzzy model for helping medical diagnosis of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients and their vital signs monitored through a multiparameter heart screen. Intelligent systems techniques were used in the data acquisition and processing (sorting, transforming, among others) it into useful information, conducting pre-diagnosis and providing, when necessary, alert signs to the medical staff.

Conclusions: The use of fuzzy logic turned to the medical area can be very useful if seen as a tool to assist specialists in this area. This paper presented a fuzzy model able to monitor and classify the condition of the vital signs of hospitalized patients, sending alerts according to the pre-diagnosis done helping the medical diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Automation
  • Data Collection / methods
  • Fuzzy Logic*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Vital Signs*