LifeWatch

LifeWatch is and embedded solution to minimize the misidentification of patients within hospitals, reduce the chances of wrongful medication, and provide a portable emergency response system. It allows for wireless identification of patients via Near Field Communication (NFC) in order to read and verify patient information stored on a Hospital server.

Motivation

The main motivation came from a situation in which William Toledo wishes would never happen to anyone. He had driven his mother to the hospital due to intense pains resulting from kidney stones. The staff was very helpful in making sure that his mother would be as comfortable as possible, giving her a sedative to minimize the pains. Later a doctor came in asking if the mother was ready for her open heart surgery. The mother being under sedatives was not fully aware of what was happening and agreed. But in disbelief at the situation before him, William told the doctor that there was not supposed to be any surgery, let alone one so serious as the surgery suggested. If William had not been there, there is a possibility that the staff could have prepped her for a surgery incorrectly, or worse still, actually done the unnecessary and highly dangerous procedure.

Although hospitals take many precautions to avoid scenarios like this, there is still a risk of misidentification and incorrect treatment. There had to be a way to minimize this risk, and this product looks to accomplish that by adding an extra layer of protection. LifeWatch acts as a secondary pair of eyes that can help protect both the patients and hospital from human errors. By providing a simple wireless identification of patients before transportation or medication, the chances are minimized.