radio frequency identification based infant monitoring and

Nigerian Journal of Science Vol 52 - No 1 (2018) 1-11Date Received 13/06/2018

Corrected & Acceptance Date 07/09/2018

Abstract

Infant Monitoring and Management System (IMMS) is a powerful tool that allows the physician to track the infant's medical history and identify problems or patterns that may help determine the course of health care. A statistics from United Nation Inter-agency group for child mortality Estimation in 2017 shows that Nigeria is rank third in the world with 247 per 1000 newborn deaths and infant mortality rate of 34.1 per 1000 live birth, thus contribute 9% share of the global newborn deaths. This is very alarming and calls for urgent attention. To reduce these deaths, we need information and adequate measures, one of such is by using technology to ensure efficient and accurate method of record keeping for infants. The developed system integrate IMMS with RIFD Technology to manage and monitor infant medical record. RFID) technology has a unique ability to perform automatic data collection with less human intervention. This study provide an automated and comprehensive monitoring and management system using RFID technology. Infant information is capture remotely using RFID components and process at the back-end with an inbuilt database package that is capable of storing infant and mother information and monitor most common diseases associated with the infants. This system allows quick access to infant medical history, mortality status, integration with other neonatal-care sessions. Data obtained from the system can assist in research purpose and decision-making. In addition, Governments and management bodies can use this information to curb the rate of infant mortality in the country.

Radio Frequency Identification (

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Keywords: Neonatology, Infant Diseases, Infant Monitoring and Management System, Radio Frequency Identification

Introduction

Neonatology is a sub-specialization of pediatrics that consists of medical care of newborn infants, especially the premature or ill newborn infants. The principle and practice of neonatologists of newborn infants who are ill require special medical care due to prematurity, congenital malformations (birth defects), low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, sepsis, pulmonary hyperplasia or birth asphyxias (Neonatology Journal Citation Reports,

2015). Statistic shows that the average total body length of newborn infant in the first world nation is 35.6–50.8 cm (14–20 inches), although premature newborns may be much smaller, Baines (1862).The evidence-based on best practices for the accelerated reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality is a sensitive indicator for national development. Monitoring will provide an awareness of the state of a system.

The application for performance of a monitoring system requires the availability of software. The observation of a disease condition of one or several medical parameters must be investigated

*O.D ADENIJI AND F.O FAGBENRODepartment of Computer Science,

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria*Corresponding Author

E-mail: [email protected]

Radio Frequency Identification Based Infant Monitoring and Management System: Neonatology Approach for Pediatrics

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by health care provider. The primary purpose of RFID BASED IMMS is to enable physicians to provide quality health care to their infants. In addition, Infant's history, complete and accurate infant medical records will meet all legal, regulatory and auditing requirements. Most importantly, they will contribute to comprehensive and high quality care for infants by optimizing the use of resources, improving efficiency and coordination in team-based and inter-professional settings, and facilitating research.

The review based on the challenges and absence of comprehensive analysis of infant associated diseases by the health system has incur mismanagement of infant medical records. According to United Nation Inter-agency group for child mortality Estimation, 2017, Nigeria is rank third in the world with 247 per 1000 newborn deaths and infant mortality rate of 34.1 per 1000 live birth, thus contribute 9% share of the global newborn deaths. The case study in Nigeria by Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 reported that one million children die before their fifth birthday. In which One-quarter of these

children – 241,000 – die in the first month of life as newborns. A solution for newborn deaths has reduced the country to 33,000 annual maternal deaths. Table 2 provide the summary of number of death of mother, children and babies in Nigeria. However, little or no attention has been paid to the fact that more than one-third of child deaths and more than 10% of total global disease burden can be attributed to maternal, newborn and child under nutrition.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is one of the significant part in modern day technology especially in automatic identification systems, Angeles (2005). The major components of an RFID system include the hardware (tags, readers and antennas) and the software systems. RFID systems in health sector are usually combined with other technologies such as mobile devices, Bluetooth, and sensors for different purposes. Passive RFID tags are primary used for patient identification and drug authentication while active RFID tags are mainly used for the tracking purpose, FicusSoft (2004): Integrating the design

Table 1: Countries with Highest number of newborn death in the world

O.D Adeniji & F.O Fagbenro: Neonatology Approach for Pediatrics

Radio Frequency Identification Based Infant Monitoring and Management System:

Nigerian Journal of Science Vol 52 - No 1 (2018): 1-11

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Table 2: Numbers of death of Nigeria Mothers, Babies and Children

Source: Saving Newborn Lives in Nigeria; 2011

is a key consideration in RFID adoption, Weinstein (2005). Data generated from an RFID system must be in a format that is compatible with all of the relevant equipment, software and other data (Angeles et al., 2005). However, one of the dominant barriers to RFID adoption is integration (Huber, et al., 2007). RFID Components include RFID system software, middleware and host application. The of RFID components enables the implementation of an RFID solution. (Shepard et al., 2004).

Related WorksConsidering the various challenges faced in the adoption of RFID technology especially in Health-care sector, a patient identification system using RFID has been implemented and evaluated successfully in many Hospitals of the developed countries. Such systems incudes Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) that is, a system that support nursing shift exchange to save time and efforts, Newborn identity reconfirmation. An Infant Monitoring System Using CO2 Sensors in 2007 IEEE International Conference (Hung et al., 2007). However, most of this system focuses on

routine shift, tracking and monitoring of infant within the hospital.

The Existing Systems and the Proposed SystemThe existing systems for managing infant medical record is divided into Manual/Paper file system and Electronic management system. Figure 1. Below shows the comparison between the existing systems and the proposed system in terms of Time, Emergency Response Capability, Data Access and Efficiency. Manual file system requires more time for Data entry, retrieval and processing during infant registration compare to the Electronic System. While the electronic system requires physical contact and an operator, this could contribute to infant mortality, in the case of emergence. Thus, need for a sable, reliable, real time based system. The proposed system integrate the Electronic System (IMMS with RFID technology for monitoring and managing infant medical History. It also allows quick and real time access to infant medical history.

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Figure 1: The Existing Systems and Proposed SystemSource: Author's Analysis

ADVANTAGES OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM OVER THE EXISTING SYSTEMS

BENEFITS FINDINGS

INCREASED SAFETY OR REDUCED MEDICAL ERRORS

Reduce misidentification of infants at delivery, infant chart and images. Improve infant drug compliance by monitoring dosage taking process. Affection control during disease fashion .

REAL-TIME DATA ACCESS Provide real -time data access for health professionals via hand-held wireless PDA, e.g., contact history of infants and medical reports.

TIME SAVING Identify empty beds >20 minutes earlier 67% of time. Identify a time reduction of more than 50% in the daily activities of hospital staff.

COST SAVING Reduce theft, loss and unnecessary waste. IMPROVED MEDICAL PROCESS Streamline infant admission to hospital.

Process can be improved so patients can have less waiting time and enhanced care experience

OTHER BENEFITS Improve drug supply, improve resource utilization, and improve patient satisfaction.

Table 3: Benefit of The Proposed System



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The proposed system (RFID BASED IMMS) design methodology System design is the process of defining the architecture, modules, component, interfacesand the data for a system to satisfy specific requirement, (Bentley, et al., 2004).The function of the system design is to create a technical solution that satisfies the functional requirement of the system. Design is the process of applying different principles and techniques for defining a device, a process or system in sufficient detail to permit its physical realization. Design is also the most artistic or creative part of the software development process. It converts the "what" of the requirement to the "how" of the design. The result of the design phase should be a document that has sufficient detail such that the system could be implemented without further interaction with the designer.

RFID BASED IMMS System Architecture The developed system as shown in figure 2 below has the following components namely; Infant In-patient and outpatient module, RFID module and the Server/database, WIFI network platform and software.

In-Patient ModuleThis module manages infant on admission in the hospital. A separate RFID reader is assign for the inpatient department.

Out- Patient Module This module manages registered infant patient that comes from outside the hospital that is for regular checkups, immunization. A separate RFID reader is assign for the outpatient department.

RFID ModulesThis consist of the hardware (tags/wristband, and antennas) and the software systems components.

Hardware Components

RFID readerAn RFID reader is a device used to gather

information remotely from an RFID tag/wristband and track individual objects. Radio waves are used to transfer data from the tag to a reader.The RFID tag must be within therange of an RFID reader, which ranges from 3 to 300 feet, in order to be read. The Reader has an antennas attached to it. For this study, UHF Long Range DL920 RFID was used. With the following specification 860MHz-960Mz, Read distance: 8m-15m and write distance 4m-7m. RFID technology allows several items to be quickly scanned and enables fast identification of a particular product, even when several other items surround it.

RFID tags: can be passive or active, depending on powering techniques. Passive tags can only communicate with the reader when they are sitting in an Electromagnetic field of the reader since they do not have battery power while active RFID tags can power the integrated circuits

RFID wristband: RFID wristband is a protective tag that consists of an integrated circuit smaller than a grain of sand and an antenna. The protective material holds the pieces together and shields them from various environmental conditions. The protective material depends on the application. RFID wristband comes in different sizes depending on the purpose.

ServerThis module handles the database of the inpatient and outpatient department.

WIFI Network PlatformThis module enables authorized Hospital personnel to access the system remotely via the internet and track the infant location within the RFID reader.

Software Systems Component

This is divided into four modules namely:The infant information module, The Hospital Personnel Module (Authorized), The Administrative module, and The RFID Security module.

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Figure 2: RFID BASED IMMS System ArchitectureSource: Author's Analysis

HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS

The administrator assign RFID wristband to the infant at the point of registration as shown in figure 2 and 7, based on mother's hospital registration number.

A key feature of the information system is the automation of the infant's medical record,Hospital personnel enters the data for which replaces the traditional paper of each medical record, either through a personal digital assistant (PDA), or using a computer terminal in the neonatal care recorded after birth and throughout his or her nursing will be issued to infants parent in order to collect basic information relating his/her mother either by oral or written form depending on the mother's level of education.

Nurses can assist in filling the arrangement of captioned spaces, design required information. Hospital Personnel through a secured user-name and password can only identify and verify infant and then assign to the doctor. The Infant wristband derived its power from the radio wave generated by the RFID reader. This enables it to transmit infants unique ID back to the reader device once detected. Thus, allow infant to be remotely identify.

A list of available tags is display as shown in figure 7 below. In addition, The Administrator verify and validate the infant tags and then click on view tab on the RFID module to display the infant information. The antenna picks radio wave only when it is at the electromagnetic field of the reader.



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Furthermore, the reader converts the radio waves from the infant wristband into digital information (at inpatient and outpatient department workstation) then pass down to the server/database for processing and back to the cloud for storage.

Functional Hierarchical Diagram of the Developed System

In the functional hierarchy diagram, a function is divided into many smaller functions and each smaller function contains many even smaller ones. The functional hierarchical diagram also determines the appearance frequency of smaller process in the data flow chart. The construction of this diagram involves division of a process, from the higher function to the appropriate smaller function as shown in figure 4 below.

The doctor does not need to fill a form; they can only retrieve and update the diagnostic information of infants in various stages; input consultations and enter prescriptions.

Figure 3: Administrative ModuleSource: Author's Analysis

Functional Hierarchical Diagram of Developed System

The Administrator's part of the developed system as shown in figure 4 below, solely has to do with the backend for monitoring the entire system – adding new, updating existing, deleting old and viewing infant record, as well as creating reports, encrypting and decrypting information. The Administrator's part will also include a C-sharp application for encoding and decodingencrypted data on RFID tags using the RFID reader. Also, the access to various facilities offered by IMMS is granted in accordance to the rights previously set for the registered user.

The User Management module establishes access rights. The system requirements for the effective performance of the system are classified into; Hardware and Software Requirement. The software requirements for the implementation of this system include Operating System, Microsoft SQL server management express edition, and Microsoft.NET FRAMEWORK and MySQL connector.net4. The hardware configuration will require Intel Pentium IV Processor, RFID embedded wristband and UHF RFID Reader Dl920.

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Figure 4: Administrative ModuleSource: Author's Analysis

Result and Discussion

There are several in-built functions, which make it easy and suitable for application development. This in turn reduces the amount of functions written by the programmer. Examples of such functions include string manipulation, date functions. The developed RFID Functionalities can handle Communication: Opening and Closing communication port, Information Retrieval: Reader Info, System Info, Tag Info, infant Info, and Tag Operation: Scanning, Writing and Reading to tags.

The administrator uses the surname of the user as the username and creates a password for the user. When the user logs in with the password, the user would be required to change the password and it would be updated in the database. Privileges would be granted to the users such that each user

can access certain information that they are authorized to access.

Managing Infant Medical Record

Hospital Personal can perform basic functions such as register infant i.e. input infant medical information into the system, verify infant information, generate invoice for payment and assign infant to doctor. However only the Doctor would be able to access Doctor's Notes and Nursery Record.

A link to infant Management will allow the Hospital Personnel to Access the infant management page. All other infant medical records can be access via the link assigned to each of the page.

In Figure 5, Operations such as edit, save and manage infants Information is stored in the database. The result captured during the design is shown in the figures below.



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Figure 5: Infant Information Module

Figure 6: Hospital Personnel Module

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Figure 7: RFID Security module

Figure 8: Analysis of Infant Diseases from the data generated from IMMS

Various reports can be generated from the system through data query. Figure 8 is a demo showing comparison between five most common infant diseases in 2016. From the result, June 2016 has the highest number of infant mortality caused by Neonatal sepsis with nine newborn death and

lowest in May and July. In addition, the summary of infant mortality and its causes for the year can be obtain. The data if properly imputed by the doctors into the system could be process, analyzed and use for monitoring, decision making and research purpose.



Conclusion

Major challenges facing health-care Sector most especially infant Session in Nigeria includes high infant mortality rate, medical errors/lost record, mother and baby mix-ups during neonatal care and at discharge, poor statistical records/inaccurate data.

In order to check this problem, this research attempts to build a software tool that manages infant information, by embedding an encoded RFID chip into a wristband, which is assign to infants during registration. The RFID embedded wristband only contains wristband ID, infant name and registration No, which is link to the infant data stored at the back-end of the system. The developed system in this study will assist the hospital administrators and workers in a convenient, fair and timely manner. In addition, it provide easy and effective storage information related to infants and their mother. It also, monitors infant's medical history such as nursery and doctor's records, allergies, and immunization history, most common infant diseases and mortality status. This information can be use to curb the rate of infant mortality in the country.

References

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*O.D Adeniji and F.O. FagbenroNigerian Journal of Science Vol. 52- No 1 (2018): 1-11ISSN 0029 0114www.sciencenigeria.org


radio frequency identification based infant monitoring and

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