Newer technology can be increasingly used to improve patient care. In a recent report the use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) can save around 2,250 babies in US alone who succumb to sudden infant death syndrome each year.

Hung Cao, a graduate assistant at the University of Texas has come up with a new solution for sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.

Hung Cao, along with his friends developed a device that can warn a parent when the baby stops breathing and the carbon-di-oxide levels rise in the body. This is done by the use of sensors that are attached to the baby's crib to measure the carbon dioxide exhaled by the baby.

The RFID sends a signal as soon as the baby stops breathing. This vigil can be kept round the clock. The active RFID tag is attached to the bottom of the crib and an attached device captures RFID tag data every five seconds and in case the breathing stops an alert is sounded. The alert will also bring up the hospital record of the baby and the doctors and nurses can be immediately alerted about the looming danger.

If the device is thoroughly tested and found successful; it will revolutionize not only prevention of SIDS but many other similar conditions. RFID in the healthcare have found application in the healthcare industry in some of these areas- to monitor blood sugars in diabetics, to ensure there is no mix up in blood transfusion, to track hospital beds, to help stroke and Alzheimer's patients, to manage pharmacy supply chain and to keep tab on cadaver organs from being misused.

The use of newer technology to improve patient care has never been fully exploited. What is required is a little inventive thinking and having some tech savvy medical staff who can keep tab of the latest developments. A proactive forum is required and Medical Computer Society of India would welcome technocrats and tech savvy healthcare professionals to regularly contribute to this forum. Contact: www.mcsiindia.com for contributing to the forum.

Source-Medindia
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