Hypothesis: A wearable device may help COVID-19 patients improve lung function

Margaret L Dow; Stephen R Dugan

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110443

Hypothesis: A wearable device may help COVID-19 patients improve lung function

Med Hypotheses. 2021 Jan:146:110443. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110443. Epub 2020 Dec 4.

Authors

Margaret L Dow¹, Stephen R Dugan²

Affiliations

¹ Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; Smart Human Dynamics, San Francisco, CA, United States. Electronic address: Dow.margaret@mayo.edu.
² Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; Smart Human Dynamics, San Francisco, CA, United States.

Abstract

Managing respiratory status of patients with COVID-19 is a high resource, high risk healthcare challenge. Interventions that decrease need for invasive respiratory support and utilization of bedside staff would benefit patients and healthcare personnel alike. Proning has been established as optimal positioning that may reduce the need for escalation of respiratory support. We propose a new application of a wearable device to decrease supine positioning and ameliorate these risks.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hospital transmission; Personal protective equipment; Proning; Wearable technology.

MeSH terms

Accelerometry / instrumentation
COVID-19 / complications
COVID-19 / physiopathology*
COVID-19 / therapy*
Computer Systems
Humans
Lung / physiopathology*
Models, Biological*
Patient Positioning / instrumentation
Patient Positioning / methods
Prone Position / physiology*
Remote Sensing Technology / instrumentation
Remote Sensing Technology / methods
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / etiology
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / physiopathology
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / therapy
SARS-CoV-2*
Wearable Electronic Devices*