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Using "off-the-shelf" tools for terabyte-scale waveform recording in intensive care: computer system design, database
Anton Burykin1, Tyler Peck, Timothy G Buchman
1Emory Center for Critical Care (ECCC) and Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. anton.burykin@emory.edu
Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Creating large waveform databases for intensive care is now feasible using commercial software and existing IT infrastructure, reducing the need for specialized teams and development. This system efficiently records vital signs from multiple monitors for extensive patient data collection.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Health Informatics
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Massive waveform database creation in intensive care traditionally demands interdisciplinary teams and custom development.
- Commercial software for waveform acquisition is emerging, but its performance and cost-effectiveness are largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the development of a system for long-term, large-scale recording and storage of multichannel physiologic signals using commercial solutions.
- To assess the feasibility of using commercial software and existing hospital IT infrastructure for building a vital sign database.
Main Methods:
- Developed a computer system using commercial software and hardware with existing hospital IT infrastructure.
- Captured numeric (1 Hz) and waveform (62.5-500 Hz) data from 24 SICU bedside monitors simultaneously over one year.
- Stored data in a file-based vital sign data bank (VSDB), totaling 4.21TB, from 1,175 critically ill patients.
Main Results:
- Successfully recorded vital signs, including up to six ECG leads, other waveforms, and numeric data, from 1,175 patients.
- The VSDB reached a total size of 4.21TB, demonstrating large-scale data capture capabilities.
- Detailed system components, exported datasets, and comparisons with other waveform databases were provided.
Conclusions:
- Commercial solutions integrated with existing hospital IT infrastructure can facilitate the creation of massive long-term waveform databases.
- This approach potentially reduces the need for extensive custom development and specialized teams.
- The developed system offers a viable method for recording and storing extensive physiologic data in intensive care settings.
