wilamowski-b-m-irwin-j-d-industrial-communication-systems-2011

30
Communications in
Medical Applications
Paulo Bartolomeu
University of Aveiro
José Alberto Fonseca
Universidade of Aveiro
Nelson Rocha
University of Aveiro
Filipe Basto
Hospital de Sao João
30.1 Introduction.....................................................................................30-1
30.2 Requirements...................................................................................30-2
30.3 Localization......................................................................................30-4
30.4 Clinical Monitoring........................................................................30-5
Controller Area Network. •. Profibus DP. •. IEEE 802.15.4. •. .
Bluetooth. •. IEEE 802.11. •. Nonindustrial Technologies
30.5 Automation......................................................................................30-9
Smart Homes. •. Healthcare Robotics
30.6 Issues and Challenges...................................................................30-12
Security and Privacy. •. Safety and Reliability. •. .
Standardization. •. Timeliness
References.................................................................................................. 30-14
30.1 Introduction
Medicine, as a science, involves a complex and a sophisticated network of real-time communication
systems, where safety and security issues are primary concerns. Aggregating information from multiple
sources is essential to maximize resource usage, formulate accurate diagnosis, provide adequate
treatment, define management plans, and grant critical clinical monitoring. The availability of online
electronic medical and health records promotes the coordination of care and the integration of clinical
information (e.g., laboratory and imaging results). To harness the aforementioned benefits, subsystems
must be interoperable, flexible (e.g., allow the customization of scheduling, tracking, and alert modules),
and able to cope with the standards of care—security, safety, timeliness, efficiency, effectiveness, equity,
and patient-centered care.
In the last decade, healthcare services have evolved as the result of two main factors: social context and
technical innovations. Regarding the first, there is an increasing pressure for cost containment in health
organizations and social care institutions that poses demanding challenges in providing cost-effective
healthcare services. Besides, the nature of the disease burden is changing as a result of the demographic
boom in elderly population [1], which shifts the nature of healthcare delivery from acute, episodic care
treatments to long-term, chronic condition interventions. Furthermore, as familiar income and level of
education increase, higher demands are put on healthcare services for preventing diseases and on medical
treatments allowing lifestyle maintenance and independence.
The second factor fueling the improvement of healthcare services is the broad adoption of microprocessors
in medical devices, which enables local data processing resulting in faster response times
and enhanced treatment compliance. Examples of microcontroller-based devices are the electronic
sphygmomanometer employed in blood pressure monitoring, “smart” infusion pumps applied in the
30-1
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC