The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic puts an unprecedented burden on the healthcare system, specifically its healthcare providers and the resource demands for intensive care units (ICUs). To support effective care despite large case numbers, hospital operations urgently need improved decision support in early identification of patients at risk of an acute COVID-19 deterioration that requires ICU.
The investigators aim at developing a wearable-based ICU algorithm for inpatients contracted with SARS-CoV-2. Inpatients on the general ward with suspicion of COVID-19 or with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection will be included. The participant will be equipped with a smartwatch and wear the device throughout the hospital stay until the patient (1) is discharged home, (2) is transferred to the ICU, or (3) palliative care is initiated. The smartwatch collects several physiological parameters (e.g. heart rate, heart rate variability, respiration rate, oxygen saturation). The collected data will be used to develop an ICU prediction algorithm to detect patients at risk of an acute COVID-19 deterioration that requires ICU.
