Theme 2: Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care
Emergency Department Wearables and Remote Monitoring
This intervention leverages wearable technology and a digital health platform to enable remote biometric monitoring. By utilizing existing, widely owned smart devices, the platform facilitates continuous tracking of health metrics, enabling timely interventions without relying on expensive, dedicated medical systems.
Lead:
Jake Hayward
.
.
INNOVATION STAGE
Proof of Concept
Health Innovation Focus
Acute Illness; Chronic Disease
Population and Setting
Adults; Emergency department; Care Transitions
Technology and Intervention
Data Modelling, Platform and Dashboard Visualization; Wearable Technology, Imaging & Biosensors
BENEFITS
For Users
For patients: the platform promotes proactive health management, increasing health awareness and engagement. It reduces the need for frequent hospital visits, saving time and money and lowering exposure to hospital-acquired infections. For those in remote areas, it provides accessible care without requiring travel, and timely alerts ensure that critical health changes are addressed promptly.
For The System
The system benefits from resource optimization by reducing the need for costly, specialized monitoring equipment, reserving these for critical cases. Quick access to biometric data supports efficient healthcare delivery, while improved monitoring in remote and underserved areas helps address health equity. Additionally, this scalable and sustainable solution supports future healthcare improvements, positioning healthcare organizations as leaders in innovation, attracting funding, and advancing research capabilities.
Project Theme Information
Traditional medical monitoring systems are costly and complex, often requiring physician prescriptions and dedicated in-home equipment, which poses financial and usability challenges for both patients and healthcare providers. These systems are difficult to scale, particularly in underserved or rural areas. However, biometric monitoring is increasingly possible using common consumer devices, like smartwatches (e.g., Fitbit, Apple Watch), which can track vital signs and enable patients to manage their health proactively. While remote monitoring offers significant potential, it must be implemented responsibly to ensure safety and accuracy.
This intervention leverages wearable technology and a digital health platform to enable remote biometric monitoring. By utilizing existing, widely owned smart devices, the platform facilitates continuous tracking of health metrics, enabling timely interventions without relying on expensive, dedicated medical systems.
The platform uses smart devices to continuously collect vital health data, which patients can monitor in real-time. This data is securely transmitted to healthcare providers, enabling them to make timely, informed decisions and detect early warning signs of deterioration. In the event of a critical health change, automated alerts are generated for healthcare teams to take immediate action if necessary.
Other Known Cases:
Chronic Disease Management: Wearables like the Apple Watch and Fitbit are being used to monitor heart rates, oxygen levels, and blood pressure in real time, helping patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Data is shared with healthcare providers for early interventions.
Post-Surgery Recovery: Wearables track patients’ vitals remotely after surgery, allowing doctors to monitor recovery and respond quickly to complications.
Elderly Care: Wearables are used to monitor fall risks, sleep patterns, and mobility in elderly patients, ensuring timely alerts in case of emergencies.
COVID-19 Monitoring: Smartwatches have been used to monitor oxygen saturation levels and detect early signs of respiratory distress, allowing patients to seek timely treatment.
Get Involved
Explore Partnerships
Email Jake Hayward to explore partnership opportunities
Get in touch
.
View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province.
Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province.
ABOUT
The Health Everywhere Hub portfolio map showcases academic-led projects tackling real healthcare challenges across Alberta. By highlighting shared goals and commonalities, we hope to spark collaboration and amplify impact across the system.
It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together.