Application of Multimodal Sensing Technology in Smart Monitoring and Nursing Process Reengineering in the NICU

Abstract

To explore the application effectiveness of an intelligent monitoring system based on multimodal sensing technology (flexible sensors, smart central processing platform, mobile medical smart terminals) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and evaluate its impact on nursing workflow restructuring, a prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 120 preterm infants admitted to the NICU of a Level-A Tertiary Hospital (the highest level in China) from January to December 2024 were randomly assigned to an observation group (n=60) and a control group (n=60). The control group received conventional wired monitoring and routine care, while the observation group utilized a multimodal intelligent monitoring system comprising flexible sensors, a smart central processing platform, a medical mobile smart terminal (PDA), and environmental sensors. The study compared the following outcomes between groups: timely identification rate and effective alarm rate of clinical events (e.g., respiratory or cardiac abnormalities), nurse response time, daily nursing documentation time, nurse activity trajectory analysis for work efficiency, and nurse workload (assessed using the NASA-TLX scale). The results showed that the observation group’s timely clinical event recognition rate and effective alarm rate were both significantly higher than the control group's (P < 0.001). Both of the observation group's response time to alarm events and average daily nursing documentation time for nurses were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The number of trips nurses made to the nursing station for documentation decreased significantly in the observation group compared to the control group, markedly improving work efficiency. Besides, the observation group's NASA-TLX scores were superior to the control group across all dimensions (P < 0.05). Conclusions can be drawn as the multimodal intelligent monitoring system accurately monitors neonatal vital signs, significantly enhances the timely identification rate and effective alarm rate of clinical events in the NICU, markedly reduces nurse response time, and substantially shortens the time nurses spend on documentation. It reconfigures the NICU's efficient nursing workflow centered on patient care and early warning, thereby improving nursing quality and ensuring patient safety, demonstrating significant clinical application value.