Smartwatches for monitoring heart patients in Mecca: A new medical achievement

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King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, a key member of the Makkah Health Cluster, has achieved a significant leap forward in digital healthcare by employing smartwatch technology for remote monitoring of cardiac patients. This accomplishment, resulting from strategic integration with Makkah Virtual Hospital, part of the Seha Virtual Hospital network, aims to raise patient safety standards and improve quality of life, reflecting the rapid development of the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia.

Digital transformation in line with Vision 2030

This achievement is not a fleeting event, but rather an integral part of the comprehensive healthcare transformation adopted by the Kingdom within the framework of Vision 2030. The move towards telemedicine and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) represents a fundamental pillar in the Ministry of Health's strategy to reduce the burden on traditional hospitals and provide proactive care. The significance of this step lies in its ability to transfer healthcare services from hospital wards to the comfort of the patient's home, thereby enhancing the efficiency of healthcare spending and ensuring the sustainability of medical services, especially in a vital region like Mecca, which experiences high population density throughout the year.

Accurate and promising medical results

Data released by the medical city three months after the launch of its remote health monitoring program revealed remarkable results involving the monitoring of 40 cardiac patients. This technology enabled the direct transmission of continuous vital signs, including heart rhythm and rate readings, to the specialized monitoring team. Statistics showed that 74% of these patients were classified as high-risk, meaning they suffered from advanced heart failure, a category that typically requires intensive care and is susceptible to sudden complications.

Smartwatches have enabled medical teams to detect subtle disturbances in heart rhythm, including:

15% extra heartbeats.
13% of cases are atrial fibrillation.
3% non-continuous ventricular acceleration.

These figures reflect the technology's superior ability to detect cases early before they clinically deteriorate, allowing for timely medical intervention.

From monitoring to proactive therapeutic intervention

The service's benefits extended beyond mere data collection, becoming an effective tool for informed treatment decisions. The medical city explained that the integration of nursing and medical team efforts translated digital indicators into direct clinical interventions. Regarding post-discharge outcomes, the results showed 35% virtual visits and 28% emergency visits, most of which were preventative and early interventions. The cardiac readmission rate was only 10%, a low percentage reflecting the program's success in managing cases.

Dimensions of local and regional impact

This model is particularly significant given its location in Mecca, as it opens up broad prospects for implementing similar solutions to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers in the future, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a leader in managing crowds effectively using technology. Furthermore, the success of this model paves the way for its application to other patient groups, contributing to reduced waiting lists, alleviating pressure on emergency departments, and increasing overall satisfaction among those receiving healthcare services.