This concerns patients with blood cancer, such as leukaemia, who are being treated in the Haematology department with stem cell transplantation, CAR-T cell therapy or intensive chemotherapy. 'Of the patients who currently stay in hospital for two to three weeks, some will be able to go home earlier in the future if we know that they have a low risk of side effects and are being monitored properly at home.'
But before that happens, the monitoring system needs to be researched. To this end, researcher Marieke Tienstra has received a grant of 325,000 euros from KWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society). Tienstra carries a CardioWatch-287-2 with her: a seemingly simple wristband that can measure vital data such as temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, sleep rhythm and oxygen saturation. ‘With the data transmitted by the CardioWatch, we hope to be able to create a model that will enable us to predict when a patient at home is at risk of side effects and needs to come to the hospital.’
In order to create this model, patients in hospital will soon be given a CardioWatch, which researchers will use to monitor their vital signs during their hospital stay. ‘We want to know whether the CardioWatch measures the same as the nurse, so that we can be sure that the device is doing what it is supposed to do. Does the strap measure a temperature of 39 degrees if the nurse measures the same?’
We will then analyse how the patient fared afterwards, says Tienstra. “Which patients developed an infection, which patients had to go to intensive care? And could we have predicted this based on these patients” readings? And for people who did not experience any side effects, what were their readings?'
The study will run for four years. 'We hope that this will ultimately enable a significant number of patients to go home earlier. That's good for the patient, because for many, a long hospital stay is unnecessarily stressful. It can also be risky: staying in hospital longer than necessary can lead to stress and a reduced quality of life. And if patients can go home earlier, it is also better for healthcare: it saves costs and reduces the pressure on healthcare services.'
