SwiftCare

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  Patient's device application

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  Nurse device application with realtime requests

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  Nurse device application with discomfort level overtime of each patient

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  Patient's device application

Inspiration

Our inspiration came from the critical need to improve communication between patients with limited mobility and healthcare providers. Poor communication in healthcare has led to 1,744 patient deaths and over $1.7 billion in malpractice costs in a five-year period. We recognized that patients recovering from paralysis, stroke, or post-operative conditions often struggle to communicate their needs effectively, leading to delays in care and potential complications. We wanted to leverage technology to bridge this gap, empowering patients and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare delivery.

What it does

SwiftCare is an innovative iOS application that uses eye-tracking technology to enable patients with limited mobility to communicate their needs effortlessly. The system consists of two interconnected apps: A patient-side iPad app that uses eye-tracking to allow patients to select options like "I need water" or "I need to use the bathroom." A nurse-side iPhone app that receives real-time notifications of patient requests. The app also allows patients to log their level of discomfort at any time. Nurses can view request histories and discomfort analytics in the form of line graphs for each patient, enabling more proactive and data-driven care.

How we built it

We developed SwiftCare using a combination of cutting-edge technologies:

1. Frontend: We used SwiftUI for both the patient and nurse interfaces, ensuring a modern, responsive design.
2. Backend: Firebase was implemented for our database and real-time information transfer.
3. Eye-tracking: We made use of Apple's ARKit and Vision Framework for the eye-tracking mechanism.
4. Cloud Functions: Firebase Cloud Functions were used to handle server-side logic and enhance real-time capabilities.

Challenges we ran into

1. Establishing a seamless connection between the patient and nurse sides of the application was initially complex.
2. Integrating Firebase Cloud Functions with Firebase Realtime Database required overcoming several technical hurdles.
3. As first-time Swift developers, we faced a steep learning curve in mastering the language and its ecosystem.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

1. We achieved remarkably low latency in our real-time communication system, ensuring that patient requests are transmitted to nurses almost instantaneously.
2. Our application successfully supports multiple patients and nurses accessing their respective interfaces synchronously, demonstrating its scalability.
3. Despite being new to Swift development, we created a fully functional, innovative healthcare solution that addresses a critical need.

What we learned

Through this project, we gained valuable experience in:

1. iOS app development using SwiftUI
2. Implementing eye-tracking technology in mobile applications
3. Working with Firebase for real-time database management and cloud functions
4. Overcoming challenges in connecting multiple app interfaces
5. The importance of low-latency communication in healthcare applications

What's next for SwiftCare

1. Expand the range of communication options for patients, potentially including more complex messages or customizable requests.
2. Integrate with existing hospital management systems for seamless adoption.
3. Develop an Android version to reach a wider user base.
4. Explore additional applications of our eye-tracking technology in other areas of healthcare and assistive technology.

Built With

• apple-vision-framework
• arkit
• firebase
• swiftui