IITian Used AI to Develop an Early Warning System

IITian used AI to develop an early warning system for critical patients

When you go into a hospital, you will often notice a personnel scarcity, which causes urgent medical chores to be prioritized above non-emergency situations and procedures. Because nurses cannot be present around the clock owing to personnel shortages, essential patient measures such as blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG are frequently overlooked.

To solve this serious issue, Gaurav Parchani, a 2013 IIT Indore graduate, has established a firm that uses Artificial Intelligence to handle personnel shortages and improve patient monitoring. Gaurav, who is originally from Indore, first focused on increasing the speed of racing vehicles and accompanying technology. However, recognizing the connections between health technology and race car technology, he aimed to make a larger effect by bringing technology to healthcare.

How Can an AI-Based Early Warning System Assist Patients?

This medical device requires only one sensor to be attached to the patient's bed and does the rest. The sensor continuously runs tests on the patient and displays the results on a nearby monitor. This data is updated in the nursing station's system at the same time. Furthermore, if a patient's vital signs vary from the usual range, such as high blood pressure or ECG symptoms of a probable heart attack, an alarm is sent along with the patient's data.

The sensors under the bed can measure blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate, while the patient wears three wireless gadgets that monitor oxygen levels, ECG, and temperature. This removes the need for patients to continuously request help when moving throughout the facility.

Several government and private hospitals around the country have implemented this AI-based technology. It is currently in use in over 300 hospitals, covering over 8,000 beds. This technology has been combined with sensors in beds at hospitals such as King George Medical College in Lucknow and PGI in Chandigarh. According to data from Chennai's Apollo Hospital and Lucknow's King George Medical College, this technology has allowed doctors to save up to 80% of patients by identifying changes in their condition up to 8 hours before they deteriorate.

Once inserted in the bed, the sensor can work for up to 5 years. This Made in India technology has received over 15 certifications and eight patents. While the initial investment may be significant, the system's designers claim that it can save 10,000 hours of nursing labour each year, saving both time for healthcare personnel and, more crucially, patients' lives.