title: Wireless-accessible sensor populations for monitoring biological variables.
abstract: The current health-care infrastructure is generally considered to be inadequate to meet the needs of an increasingly older population. We have investigated the feasibility of a passive in-home monitoring system based on wireless accessible sensor populations (WASP). In an EU-funded project we have identified the system architecture and the sensors required to gather data from elderly patients by continuous monitoring. Data from biological variables (heart rate, accelerometers, body temperature and galvanic skin response) and everyday habits (body position, movements) will be transmitted to a central monitoring centre. A Body Sensor Network (worn by the patient and able to communicate with a personal mobile hub) and an Ambient Sensor Network (a number of wireless sensors incorporated into the patient's home) are envisaged. The system will be tested by using it in the telemedicine activities of the Health Telematic Network, which manages home help projects for elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Telemedicine Service and Cardiology Division of IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation Lumezzane (BS), Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazzù
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scalvini
authors.forename: Amerigo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frumento
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lokhorst
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Glisenti
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000295:instrumentation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*