Wearable devices for remote vital signs monitoring in the outpatient setting: an overview of the field

Early detection of physiological deterioration has been shown to improve patient outcomes. Due to recent improvements in technology, comprehensive outpatient vital signs monitoring is now possible. This is the first review to collate information on all wearable devices on the market for outpatient physiological monitoring. A scoping review was undertaken. The monitors reviewed were limited to those that can function in the outpatient setting with minimal restrictions on the patient’s normal lifestyle, while measuring any or all of the vital signs: heart rate, ECG, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, blood pressure and temperature. A total of 270 papers were included in the review. Thirty wearable monitors were examined: 6 patches, 3 clothing-based monitors, 4 chest straps, 2 upper arm bands and 15 wristbands. The monitoring of vital signs in the outpatient setting is a developing field with differing levels of evidence for each monitor. The most common clinical application was heart rate monitoring. Blood pressure and oxygen saturation measurements were the least common applications. There is a need for clinical validation studies in the outpatient setting to prove the potential of many of the monitors identified. Research in this area is in its infancy. Future research should look at aggregating the results of validity and reliability and patient outcome studies for each monitor and between different devices. This would provide a more holistic overview of the potential for the clinical use of each device

My colourful sketches from scratch: molecular imaging

Have you heard the story about the tortoise? Only through perseverance did it manage to get to the boat. It is up to you how much you are willing to sacrifice and how long you want to fight before you obtain your goals. If you decide to pursue a road, then make sure you stick with it until the very end. I believe that these life lessons are the key to fulfillment. PET, CT, and MR are molecular imaging tools. Combined PET-CT has evolved into an established clinical tool in diagnostic imaging. The facility need to be optimized and standardized to help improving the clinical management of patients. “MY COLORFUL SKETCHES FROM SCRATCH” Molecular Imaging is about the struggle on establishing the specialized field of Molecular Imaging, PET-CT in particular, through academia and international networking. I hope my story will inspire those out there looking for their own niche be it academic or non-academic encounter