Reggeborgh Research Fellow Dieuwke van Dartel is investigating smart technologies to improve recovery in elderly people after a hip fracture
Every year, approximately 400 people with a broken hip are admitted to ZGT (Ziekenhuisgroep Twente) in Almelo. Of this group, 80% are aged 70 or older. Unfortunately, only half recover fully and 30% of this group die within a year of the fracture. This is because many elderly people are vulnerable and often have other health problems.
To improve care for elderly people with a broken hip, Reggeborgh Research Fellow Dieuwke van Dartel is investigating new and smart technologies to better monitor patients during their recovery. For example, sensors measure movement, grip strength, heart rate and breathing. This data helps doctors and nurses intervene more quickly if recovery is not going well.
Collaborating on innovation
Dieuwke also coordinates various studies and supervises other researchers and students. She also works with other experts to make technology an integral part of healthcare. In hospitals, for example, grip strength is measured to determine how strong and resilient a patient is. In addition, work is underway on a sensor that monitors heart rate, breathing and temperature day and night. This allows problems such as infections to be detected more quickly.
Patients continue to be monitored even after hospitalisation. In collaboration with nursing homes in the region, the recovery of patients who are temporarily admitted to the nursing home for rehabilitation is monitored.
A valuable opportunity
The Reggeborgh Research Fellowship enables Dieuwke to bring technology closer to practice and to work with other professionals on the care of the future. This is important, especially as more and more elderly people need care. If these technologies become standard in healthcare, doctors and nurses will be able to intervene more quickly in the event of problems and elderly people will have the best chance of a good recovery.
‘The dream is a system in which all technologies come together, so that healthcare providers can get a complete picture of the patient via a single platform. This will make care even better and more personalised, resulting in a better quality of life for elderly people with a broken hip.’
- Dieuwke van Dartel
In addition, Reggeborgh's mentor programme offers her the opportunity to expand her network and further develop her leadership skills, among other things.