Digital statt diskontinuierlich

Medical Wearables bieten das Potenzial, Patienten auf Normalstationen kontinuierlich zu überwachen und so postoperative Komplikationen früher zu erkennen. Trotz technischer und struktureller Hürden – von Alarm Fatigue über unzureichende Digitalisierung bis zu offenen Fragen des Datenschutzes – zeichnet sich ein vielversprechender Nutzen für Patientensicherheit und Entlastung des Pflegepersonals ab. Voraussetzung für den Weg in die Regelversorgung sind jedoch robuste Evidenz, klare Regularien und interdisziplinäre Digitalisierungskonzepte.

Abstract

Medical wearables are considered a promising solution for mobile and continuous vital sign monitoring in general wards, with the objective of significantly reducing the existing monitoring deficit for high-risk patients in German hospitals and consequently lowering post-operative mortality and „failure to rescue“ rates. The integration of wearables into early warning systems such as the NEWS (National Early Warning Score) and their intelligent combination with predictive algorithms, has the potential to provide new perspectives, but such integration has not yet been implemented. Technical challenges include the high incidence of false alarms and the subsequent issue of alarm fatigue. The utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) for the detection of artefacts presents a viable solution to this issue; however, it necessitates the development and validation of complex, device-specific software. In addition to these challenges, there are structural issues that require attention, including the inadequate digitalization of many hospitals, the high investment and maintenance costs that are yet to be reimbursed, and concerns regarding data protection and the clarification of responsibilities in the domain of IT security. Despite these challenges, the potential is widely acknowledged, particularly in terms of enhancing patient safety and reducing the workload of nursing staff. Numerous visions for the future, including non-invasive haemodynamic or biochemical monitoring, are already being developed, but clinically reliable sensors are not yet ready for use. Prospective studies, regulatory guidelines and a clear roadmap for digital transformation are required. It is asserted that the transition of medical wearables from a niche market to standard care can only be achieved through a combination of technical innovation, clinical validation and political decision-making.

Kernaussagen

• Postoperative Komplikationen sind oft vermeidbar – Wearables können durch kontinuierliche Überwachung die entscheidende Lücke zwischen Normalstation und Intensivmedizin schließen.

• Der größte Nutzen zeigt sich in Studien durch weniger Todesfälle, Notfallinterventionen und Intensivverlegungen, besonders bei älteren, multimorbiden und postoperativen Risikopatient*innen.

• Trotz ihres Potenzials sind aktuelle Systeme noch durch Artefaktanfälligkeit, Fehlalarme und eingeschränkte Messgenauigkeit limitiert.

• KI-gestützte Algorithmen und die Anbindung an etablierte Frühwarnsysteme wie den NEWS (Modified Early Warning Score) erhöhen die Verlässlichkeit und klinische Sicherheit.

• Zukünftige Innovationen wie nadelfreie Glukosemessung, Lab-on-a-Patch oder textile Sensoren könnten Wearables in die Regelversorgung bringen – wenn Infrastruktur, Validierung und Regulierung mitziehen.

Schlüsselwörter

postoperatives Monitoring - Frühwarnsystem - Digitalisierung

Keywords

postoperative monitoring - early-warning system - digitalization

Publication History

Article published online:
08 January 2026

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