{
  "abstract": "Background Critical illness contributes significantly to preventable mortality, especially in settings with limited intensive care infrastructure. Central monitoring systems are known to improve patient outcomes but are often unaffordable in resource-constrained environments.Objective To evaluate the feasibility and impact of repurposing existing bedside monitors to create a cost-neutral central monitoring solution in a high-acuity care unit.Methods During a public health emergency, multiparameter monitors were received through a corporate social responsibility initiative. These devices included an unused feature allowing inter-device data sharing. A collaborative team reconfigured the system using standard network cabling to stream real-time vital signs from multiple beds to a centrally located monitor. The pilot began with 4 beds and expanded to 18 beds. Technical and operational performance were assessed.Results and conclusions This initiative illustrates that central monitoring can be achieved in low- and middle-income countries’ (LMICs) intensive care units (ICUs) without expensive proprietary systems, hence reducing the costs of delivering critical care services. Our findings provide proof of implementation and can be used to improve the quality and availability of healthcare in an ICU to reduce the burden of preventable deaths in LMICs. The viability and scalability of this model are worth exploring in the future.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India"
      ],
      "name": "Sona Joseph"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Surgical ICU, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India"
      ],
      "name": "George Kurian"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Critical Care, Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India"
      ],
      "name": "Lingamdinne Paul Emerson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Critical Care, Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India"
      ],
      "name": "Shoma Rao"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Improving critical care surveillance through interbed connectivity: a cost-effective innovation",
  "uid": "8317c7f1-a84d-5f4b-8c88-4af5d2a51b1a"
}