Wireless Remote Patient Monitoring System: Effects of Interference

Wireless remote patient monitoring has the scope to improve patient experience while enabling data transmission to support effective patient care. Dash7 and ZigBee are potential wireless technologies which can facilitate this. Dash7 or ZigBee, when integrated with a mobile phone accompanied by the patient, can overcome the problem of range limitation imposed by traditional wireless patient monitoring solutions. A wireless remote monitoring system using integrated Dash7 or ZigBee and mobile phone technologies is proposed. Reliability is a key requirement in patient monitoring systems. Signal interference can affect the reliability of wireless systems. This paper investigates signal interference on Dash7 and ZigBee in a multi-technology environment. We further consider some of the the ethical implications of using Context Aware systems and their impact upon privacy and show that such tracking systems are ethically feasible but may require additional patient consent.