IoT – based Robot for Medical Assistant and Teleconsultation

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to the way clinicians interact with patients, with the implementation of measures like personal protective equipment, social distancing, and triage facilities. These measures aim to protect healthcare professionals and minimize the transmission of infection. However, despite these precautions, medical personnel still face a high risk of exposure, leading to a shortage of essential workforce during the pandemic. To address this challenge, medical assistant robots controlled by clinicians are introduced to enable a dynamic evaluation process within hospitals. The telehealth systems are mounted on robotic platforms, allowing them to move between patients, rooms, or wards in a hospital setting. By utilizing a temperature sensor and a pulse-oximeter sensor, the robot examines the vital signs such as skin temperature, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation of patients. Whenever any of these levels deviate from the normal range, the system promptly notifies hospital management and provides the required triaging assistance. Additionally, the robot scans the patient's RFID card to schedule an appointment with the clinician, streamlining the entire process through a responsive application.