This paper discusses the design and implementation of a multidisciplinary research project and associated field trials to test the hypothesis that functional health status amongst the elderly can be accurately determined remotely by continuously monitoring relatively simple parameters that measure the interaction between participants and their environment. In this study we propose that changes in such simple measures as mobility, sleep patterns, and utilisation of cooking, washing and toilet facilities, can identify changes in functional health status. One of the primary end goals of the project will be to automatically prompt appropriate, timely and cost-effective intervention of medical and community based services to help reduce morbidity and maintain an independent high quality of life for the elderly. Targeted intervention will diminish the demand for high cost medical services. This will have large potential economic implications in helping to contain and reduce the increasing cost of providing health care services to the aged.

Remote monitoring of health status of the elderly at home. A multidisciplinary project on aging at the University of New South Wales

The main aim of TASNANO project is to focus on the development of a web-based system that allows cooperative work between partners. Even if some commercial tools become available, the specificities of nanotechnology applications suggest implementing an ad-hoc tool. This approach permits to update information every moment, so that not only the latest versions of the documents are always available, but also the raw experimental data are shared in a protected environment. Organizing big amount of data begins with modelling of conceptual schemes, which individualizes entities involved into the project and links between them. The rules’ application of logic modeling leads to the production of a logic scheme. The model allows the data base design, which can be enlarged and enriched preserving coherence and avoiding redundancy. Data and information can be directly treated on the web in accordance with latest modifications. [Article copies are available for purchase from InfoSci-on-Demand.com]

Data Modeling for Tools and Technologies for the Analysis and Synthesis of NANOstructures (TASNANO) Project

We present a local dissemination of EPIC, a project which has been devised to support health and social primary care by an information system. One key point of the EPIC project was a standardization effort at European level, providing a standardized basis for a management system based on client needs for planning and manpower control. Whilst EPIC has been designed as a general community information system, the main EPIC applications focus is on the care of the elderly. Savona is a middle size Italian town with a high percentage of elderly people and has already had an experience of integration of health and social care within an Italian project. It has therefore been regarded as a suitable site for the dissemination of EPIC. The EPIC application solved some of the information problems which emerged during the validation of the previous Italian project, such as the definition of the requirements; the collection, processing and retrieval of the clinical/social data; the definition of responsibilities and re...

The EPIC project in Savona: An example of dissemination of an EU-AIM project at Municipal level

The aim of EPIC is to develop a prototype information system capable for the delivery of integrated health and social care to vulnerable people in their own homes, while maintaining optimal quality of life. The authors present the guidelines of the application of the EPIC prototype to the validation site in Savona, taking into account the needs and the requirements of the local population and care workers.

A multimedia environment for elderly health care: a local experience at the Savona EPIC pilot site

A European Prototype for Integrated Care (EPIC) was set up in the early nineties within one of the programmes sponsored by the European Commission. The system mainly consists of a shared care database in which each groups of facilities is supported by a local area network (LAN). Each LAN is connected over a wide area network to a central node. The system can manage telemedicine tools, such as telealarm and telecardiology equipment. One of the validation sites for EPIC was established in Savona (Italy). Subsequently, the system in Savona has gone through successful validation and increasing integration with the region's health and social care system. Maintenance and updating criteria of the system for routine use are described.

Validation of the European Prototype for Integrated Care at municipal level in Savona: updating and maintenance

A european approach to a prototype for integrated care

Le projet EPIC - qui appartient au programme de la communaute europeenne AIM - s'occupe du developpement d'un prototype d'un systeme europeen de soin integre. Nous presentons l'approche adoptee dans le developpement des analyses fonctionnelles et des donnees pour EPIC. Le but de EPIC est l'organisation technique et logistique d'un service intelligent de controle domestique et hospitalier. Le systeme, base sur une base de donnees informatisee, comprend le generaliste, les structures sanitaires, les volontaires ou infirmiers, les patients et leurs familles. Les diagrammes Entite-Relation et Flux de Donnees ont ete employes selon un schema conceptuel independant des systemes d'organisation des bases de donnees, a partir des exigences. Le schema conceptuel adopte resulte de la fusion de schemas conceptuels developpes dans divers sites europeens pour constituer un prototype europeen de soins integres.

L. Finlay

Papers

A european approach to a prototype for integrated care

Data and functional models for a European prototype for integrated care