Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has announced the introduction of cutting edge technology to enable nurses and doctors to continue to provide care for people in their own homes during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The wearable technology was developed by a Swiss company and enables health professionals to remotely measure a patient's vital signs including heart rate, blood oxygen and skin temperature.
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300 devices have arrived in Wagga and will be distributed around the district to help with monitoring COVID-19 patients in their own home.
"We can monitor over 300 people in this way... it is cutting edge technology," said Executive Director Medical Services Dr Len Bruce.
"Essentially, we've created a 300 bed virtual hospital-in-the-home to be able to look after people who have tested positive for COVID-19, but also to look after people who have a vulnerability to the disease," said Dr Bruce.
"This use of innovative technology will help people in self-isolation stay connected, while we monitor their condition using smart phones and devices," Dr Bruce said. "It also keeps our staff safe as they can monitor people remotely."
Tom Gosling
I've had a long career in journalism and corporate communications, starting with country newspapers, radio and TV in northern NSW and including ABC News Sydney and the Melbourne Herald. I edited The University of Sydney News for 10 years, and was Media Officer for CSIRO in Canberra and BHP Steelworks in Port Kembla.
I've had a long career in journalism and corporate communications, starting with country newspapers, radio and TV in northern NSW and including ABC News Sydney and the Melbourne Herald. I edited The University of Sydney News for 10 years, and was Media Officer for CSIRO in Canberra and BHP Steelworks in Port Kembla.
