A cloud computing framework for real-time rural and remote service of critical care

Critical care patients in rural, remote and some urban healthcare facilities do not have the same level of access to intensivist specialist support as patients in higher care level urban critical care units (CCUs). New clinical research is also demonstrating that computationally intensive analysis of physiological data streams in near real-time has the potential to detect the onset of certain conditions earlier. The provision of clinical decision support tools, in a cost effective way to all CCUs has the potential to reduce mortality and morbidity rates, reduce critical care patient transportation between CCUs and in so doing reduce healthcare costs. This research presents Artemis Cloud, a cloud computing based Software-asa-Service and Data-as-a-Service approach for the provision of remote real-time patient monitoring and support for clinical research. This research is demonstrated using a neonatal intensive care unit case study supporting clinical research for earlier onset detection of late onset neonatal sepsis.