Usability of a continuous oxygen saturation device for home telemonitoring

Abstract

Background: The emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic has led to greater use of home telemonitoring devices. The aim of this study was to assess the usability of continuous home-monitoring care with an oxygen saturation device on post-COVID-19 patients.

Method: The system consists of a digital continuous pulse oximeter and a smartphone with an App, which were provided to patients. A survey composed of a standard Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire, and a satisfaction questionnaire was exploited to conduct a usability and feasibility analysis of the service.

Results: A total of 29 patients (17.2% female) with a mean age of 65 ± 11.5 years were enrolled: 20 patients were smartphone users (69%) with a mean age of 60.2 ± 9.5 years, and 9 patients (31%) did not own a smartphone (mean age 76.8 ± 5.9). The monitoring period was 1 month: a total of 444 recordings were conducted, 15 recordings per patient averagely. In total, 82% of the recordings performed did not require any intervention, while 18% led to the production of a report and subsequent intervention by a nurse who verified, together with the specialist, the need to intervene (i.e. the patient accessed the clinic for medical control and/or modification of oxygen therapy). A total of 17 patients compiled a usability questionnaire. The service was perceived as useful and well-structured, although it often required caregiver support.

Conclusions: Using continuous home-monitoring care with an oxygen saturation device seems feasible and useful for patients who could be followed at home avoiding going back to the hospital every time a trend oximetry is needed. Further improvements in connections, data flow processes, and simplifications, based on patients' feedback, are needed to scale up the service.

Keywords: COVID-19; Telemonitoring; digital oximeter; usability; wearable sensors.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

© The Author(s) 2023.

Figures

Figure 1.

The figure illustrates the workflow of the continuous oxygen saturation telemonitoring device. The device records and sends oximetry data to a smartphone through a Bluetooth connection. The data is sent via a data connection to a web platform and uploaded to the patient's electronic medical record. The nurse can check the information, generate a graphical report, and share it with other healthcare professionals if needed.

Figure 2.

The figure shows the categories utilized to define and evaluate the seven parameters using the PSSUQ and satisfaction questionnaire. Panel a consists of 15 PSSUQ items that assess system usefulness, information quality, and interface quality, while item 16 allows to calculate the overall score. Panel b has 12 satisfaction questionnaire questions describing pulse oximeter use, accessibility, ease of use, and new functionalities. Question 13 refers to the duration of device usage.

Figure 3.

The figure shows two typical measured O2 profiles and reports produced in the patient's personal health record.

Figure 4.

The figure represents, on the left side, the duration of telemonitoring device usage reported by the patients and, on the right side, the number of patients who sought assistance from a caregiver.

Figure 5.

The figure shows the percentage scores reached by parameters derived from the PSSUQ (a) and the satisfaction questionnaire (b) categories. The total score (c) indicates the average value of the seven parameters.