one of the joys of being a maker and Hacker is solving problems and filling needs. When you can do both, well, that’s something special. [rodrigo.mejiasz]’s project certainly fits into that special category of solving a problem and filling a dire need with his Bedridden client Monitor.
While [Rodrigo]’s project page does not specify his motivation for creating this project, one only needs to look as far as their local medical facility ward or senior care facility to understand why this device is so wonderful. Healthcare workers and caregivers are stretched paper thin, and their attention is being continuously interrupted.
This is where the Bedridden client monitor comes in. A healthy person can reposition themselves if they are uncomfortable, but bedridden clients cannot. It’s not just that a bedridden client is unable to get out of bed, but that they are unable to relocation themselves without assistance. The result is a terrific amount of pain. and if left unchecked, pressure sores can be the result. These are not only incredibly unpleasant, but an added danger to a clients health.
The Bedridden client monitor steps in and offers not just an egg-timer like alert, but helps caregivers track a clients position in bed across even several working shifts. This guarantees a continuity of care that might otherwise be easy to miss.
The charm of this build is in its application but also its simplicity: it’s just an Arduino Mega, a TFT shield with its Micro SD card, and the touch screen itself. A few LED’s and a buzzer take care of alerts. A thoughtfully configured interface makes the devices use apparent so that staff can make immediate use of the monitor.
Makers have a long history diving into the medical field, such as this stab wound treatment device that won the Dyson award in 2021.