title: A fuzzy model for processing and monitoring vital signs in ICU patients.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Informatic, State University of Rio Grande do Norte/College of Science and Technology Mater Christi, Brazil, Av, Campus Universitário, BR 110, KM, 46, CEP: 59625-620, Brazil. ciciliamaia@uern.br
authors.forename: Cicília R M
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Gláucia R A
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sizilio
authors.forename: Adrião D D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.forename: Ricardo A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Valentim
authors.forename: Ana M G
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Guerreiro
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008954:Models, Biological; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D055986:Vital Signs