Computer systems for facilitating management of the critically ill

Area of Science:

• Critical care medicine
• Biomedical engineering
• Health informatics

Background:

• The Shock Research Unit has utilized computer technology for critical care since 1961.
• Early systems employed process control computers for patient monitoring.
• Current systems integrate advanced computing for comprehensive physiological signal analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolution and capabilities of a computer-based system for critical care.
• To highlight the integration of computer technology in patient monitoring and data management.
• To outline future directions for automated critical care systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Xerox Sigma-5 computer for monitoring electrocardiogram (EKG), hemodynamic, respiratory, and biochemical signals.
• Implemented electronic preprocessing for efficient data acquisition and signal analysis.
• Automated clinical functions including catheter flushing, pressure system calibration, urine collection, and fluid/medication infusion.

Main Results:

• The system provides bedside displays with tabular and graphic summaries of patient status and trends.
• A computer-accessible archive of patient files has been established.
• Automation of afferent and efferent functions has facilitated clinical operation.

Conclusions:

• Computer automation significantly enhances the efficiency and speed of data acquisition and analysis in critical care.
• The developed system supports automated patient records and facilitates clinical operations.
• Future developments aim for feedback control of ventilators and adaptive fluid/medication infusion, promising improved and cost-effective critical care.