IBV promotes the “liquid hospital” to improve monitoring of patients in outpatient settings
The high cost entailed by the progressive ageing of the global population and the large number of chronic illnesses and dependent people highlights the need to promote effective models for healthy ageing based on early detection, prevention and preservation of health.
Likewise, advances in technologies such as AI, bulk data processing (Big Data), IoT devices for monitoring activity and measuring vital signs, and the implementation of 5G systems to transfer bulk data at high speeds are opening up a myriad of opportunities for the exploration of new healthcare models.
In this context, the Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) is undertaking the HLIQUIDO project to develop technological solutions and generate new health indicators for monitoring patients in outpatient settings. As David Garrido, Director of Innovation in Biomedical Assessment at IBV states, “the main objective pursued by this project is to research the integration of new technologies and methodologies for recording variables related with people’s state of health, on a digital platform, and the use of this data for generating health indicators and alarms for adverse events which are of great clinical value in the outpatient setting”.
In the context of the research, a platform is being developed for registration, storage, use and viewing of data, studying its use for the clinical monitoring of elderly people’s health in their own home. The technologies integrated on the platform are smartphone and tablet cameras, which are easy to use for both patients and carers, allowing the patients to be continuously monitored from the comfort of their home, improving the healthcare process and allowing new relevant clinical indicators and alarms to be generated, allowing personalisation of interventions and anticipation in recovery processes or chronic illnesses. Specifically, models are being developed which allow estimation of stress levels and physical frailty, based on variables obtained from the camera using AI. Although these models are being studied with elderly people, there is potential for their general use with any type of patient.
Finally, the platform will have different layers for viewing specific data for patients, clinics and carers, allowing better understanding and interpretation of the information.
Specifically, “this research will allow promotion of a ‘liquid hospital’ model based on the digitalisation of processes for attending to patients beyond the physical barriers of health centres and the use of flexible technological solutions adapted to different pathologies, as well as the environment and needs of patients,” states Garrido.
Business Collaboration
HLIQUIDO has collaboration from companies of the health and technology sector, encompassing home and remote care, sensorisation, monitoring technologies and software development, such as Atès a casa, Domotik, Mysphera, Tic4care and Tyris Software.
Finally, the project has requested support from the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Valencian Regional Government, through IVACE+i, with financing from the European Union, through the 2021-2027 Valencian Community European Regional Development Fund Programme (IMDEEA/2024/13).
