Use of Telemedicine Systems and Devices for Patient Monitoring

Abstract

Today’s health standards demand a high quality and efficiency as a major characteristic of every health service provided to the public, even in cases where patients have to be treated from a distance. The combination of medicine and information technology (telecommunications) led to the introduction of the term telemedicine. Telemedicine services are used in assisting remote patients. Interaction and feedback through patient monitoring systems and devices allow the health providers interfere when necessary, so medical maintenance can be guaranteed. This chapter deals with the different kinds of such systems and devices. The contribution of old and new telecommunication technologies is currently being discussed. The individual needs of every remote patient are taken into account, thus, several devices and systems are used for telemonitoring. This chapter indicates characteristics and features of the various kinds of patient monitoring systems and devices.