An electronic patient monitoring system that alerts the nursing staff when a patient (or patients) is leaving the nursing unit is a welcome aid in the care of Alzheimer's Disease patients and other patients with dementia. The system design is based on a wrist watch size radio transmitter to be worn by the patient. A detector unit, placed at the two exit doors, senses the presence of any patient wearing a transmitter watch. With the detection of a patient's transmitter, a microprocessor based controller locks the exiting door, activates an alarm, and displays the patient's name and location on a computer monitor screen. The personal computer records the time and date for each patient's attempt to leave. This data is then used for statistical analysis. A maximum of eight patients can be monitored at two exit doors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Division of Research Services (DRS)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01RS010210-05
Application #
3937301
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Research Services
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code