Patient Mobility Monitoring Through the Analysis of Bed Exit Centre of Pressure

Technologies that can monitor an older person’s daily activities and detect changes in functionality have the potential to act as early warning systems so that help can be provided before a serious health event occurs. Home monitoring can contribute to the creation of more supportive environments for aging at home. This thesis uses a pressure-sensitive mat that is placed between a bed frame and the mattress. The pressure data can reveal important clinical information about the bed occupant. This thesis deals with the analysis of bed exit characteristics in terms of centre of pressure trajectory and its dynamic behaviour. A graphical user interface (GUI) was designed to assist health care providers in interpreting and comparing these clinical features. This work will be used to monitor frail older adults in their own homes to assist with early detection of mobility decline.