Using Patient-Held Devices to Measure Variations in Resting Heart Rate and Step Count Prior to Presentation With an...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Wearable Technology
• Acute Care Medicine

Background:

• Subtle physiological changes often precede hospital admission.
• Smart devices offer novel ways to monitor health metrics like heart rate and step count.
• Early detection of health deterioration can aid clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of using smart device data (heart rate, step count) for patients in emergency settings.
• To determine if wearable device data can enhance the assessment of acute illness severity.

Main Methods:

• International multicenter prospective observational study (34 hospitals).
• Flash mob study design involving patient questionnaires and smart device data extraction.
• Data collected from smartphones, smartwatches, and activity trackers.

Main Results:

• 40% of patients with acute care visits had a smart device; usable data obtained from 20% (n=209).
• Significant increase in heart rate (P<.001) and decrease in step count (P<.001) observed days before hospital visit.
• Heart rate and step count on the day before presentation were associated with patient disposition (P=.04).

Conclusions:

• Personal smart devices can feasibly monitor vital signs leading up to acute care visits.
• Significant pre-hospitalization changes in heart rate and step count suggest predictive potential.
• High-risk populations are currently underrepresented in smart device health monitoring.