WISP-Based Devices as Part of a Home Telecare Node

Abstract

A systematic literature review of published sources that discuss radio frequency identification technology, ubiquitous health care, and dosage measurement was performed. The results were then critiqued. Methods of storing data and using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) were studied. These results were used as an aid for developing a prototype system for monitoring medication dosages in a home health care environment. The combination of an RFID technology – the Intel Wireless Sensor Platform (WISPs) and the construction of a specific pill dispensing container in this prototype demonstrated that it is possible to use RFID technology to effectively and ubiquitously monitor and track drug taking compliance. With further refinements on the dispensing unit and optimization of the software this product could be manufactured and released to home care patients to help increase compliance and reduce health related issues. This could form the heart of a modular telecare data collection system. RFID-based devices that can store data in standardized formats may allow incremental development of home telecare systems in an economical fashion.