21 November 2008
Mobile phones could soon be helping to save lives thanks to new system developed by scientists and software engineers at Oxford University.
It will allow patients to send vital health statistics to hospital databases via their handsets, where they can be picked up by nurses and treatment arranged if necessary.
People with conditions such as diabetes and asthma, or those receiving treatment for cancer, will be able to key in data such as blood sugar levels and chemotherapy side effects and text them to health professionals who can monitor them remotely.
If nurses suspect a patient is in need of extra care, they will call them in for an appointment, which, according to the team behind the system, could reduce the risk of medical complications.
As well as taking over the role of nurses, mobile phones could also replace credit cards as operators trial contactless communications which allow people to pay for goods using their mobile handsets.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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