A Comprehensive Guide | Patient Monitoring Devices (2024)

In hospital wards, most physiologic indicators, such as vital signs or activity, are frequently checked a few times per day. Certain characteristics, such as sleep, are not routinely monitored. More frequent monitoring could enable earlier detection of patients' worsening health and encourage initiatives to improve patients' overall health through more sleep and activity.

Because small changes in vital signs are frequently present 8 to 24 hours before a life-threatening event, such as intensive care unit admission or cardiac arrest, patient monitoring devices have the potential to detect clinical deterioration at an earlier stage, allowing physicians to intervene.

A Comprehensive Guide | Patient Monitoring Devices (1)

What are Patient Monitoring Devices?

Patient monitoring devices are any set of systems and/or processes that enable healthcare providers to monitor a patient’s health.

Patient monitoring devices are classified into two kinds:

Single Parameter Monitoring Systems: These patient monitoring device measure the human body's blood pressure, SpO2, ECG, and so on.

Multi-parameter Monitoring Systems: These systems monitor many essential physiological vital indicators such as breathing rate, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and so on. There are various varieties of Multi-Parameter (or Multi Para) patient monitors, such as 2 Para Patient Monitor, 3 Para Patient Monitor, 5 Para Patient Monitor, and 7 Para Patient Monitor.

What are the Components of a Patient Monitoring Device System?

Each patient monitoring device may be unique; for example, a pulse oximeter will not be built in the same way as a glucose monitor. A patient monitoring system's components, on the other hand, are divided into three broad categories: the actual patient monitoring device, capital equipment, and software.

Patient Monitoring Device

Although the term "patient monitoring device" refers to the entire monitoring system, the piece of equipment that comes into touch with the patient might be referred to as the patient monitoring device for clarity. The patient monitoring device typically includes a sensor for collecting vital patient information and an interconnect solution for transmitting the data to the capital equipment.

The patient monitoring device component in a pulse oximeter, for example, is the piece that clips to the patient's finger and senses and communicates their pulse to the capital equipment.

The Capital Equipment

The patient monitoring device collects vital patient data, which is subsequently transmitted to the equipment for processing, storage, and display. Capital equipment is the equipment that processes, saves, and displays this data.

Most patient monitoring capital equipment employs a complicated connecting system of connectors, PCBs, and wire harnesses, as well as some type of screen/monitor where data is shared in a usable format. A patient monitoring system's capital equipment includes a computer screen that displays information from a patient's ECG P-Wave.

The Software

The patient data must be processed after it has been transmitted from the device to the capital equipment. While the hardware collects data, the software makes it usable. Any patient monitoring device relies on the drivers, applications, and programs that process, store, and graphically convert data.

Uses and Applications of Patient Monitoring Device Systems

Patient monitoring devices are utilized in a variety of applications.

Patient monitoring devices are critical to any surgical procedure performed within hospital or clinical boundaries. To reduce the danger of something bad happening during an operation, the surgeon must have constant access to the patient's vital signs. A thermometer to track a patient's temperature, a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels, a capnography machine to monitor CO2 levels, and a sphygmomanometer to assess blood pressure are all common in an operating room.

Many of these same monitoring devices are used by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel after an operation to ensure that post-operative recovery goes successfully.

Patient monitoring devices play a critical role in patient care. Consistent technological advancements not only assist us in transmitting critical physiological signals to healthcare staff but also simplify the assessment, resulting in increased patient monitoring efficiency. Multi-parameter patient monitoring devices communicate vital data such as electrocardiograms, respiration rate, blood pressure, and so on.

The medical treatment administered in the intensive care unit necessitates continuous monitoring of patients. patient monitoring devices enable continuous visibility of the subject's physiological condition and provide quick therapy when necessary for constant patient observation.

5 Signs to Trust Patient Monitoring Device Suppliers

When researching patient monitoring devices for your medical facility on the internet, the options and information available can be overwhelming. Related: Other Patient Monitoring Systems in the Market.

With healthcare expenses growing, you don't want to pay exorbitant charges, but in most circumstances, choosing the wrong supplier can be far worse than spending an initial premium. Here are five indicators you can strike a balance with and choose equipment that will improve your practice and patient care.

Longevity

Look for companies that have been producing or supplying vital signs and patient monitoring devices for more than a decade. There is a steep learning curve, and it takes time for new suppliers to navigate and iron out the rough edges. Many do not survive in space. You want a supplier who will be around for years after you make your initial purchase.


Warranty

Is the supplier's product guaranteed? What is their return policy like? What kind of warranty do they provide?


Service and Support

What kind of service and assistance are offered? Call them and talk to them. Are they available to fit you with the proper products, assist you through the installation or setup process, and provide quick post-sale customer service and technical support? These are not the kinds of items that can be classified as commodities.

Inventory and Parts

Is your supplier stocked with parts and accessories to support your everyday operations and keep your hospital running? Even the best products require maintenance, new attachments, and replacement components or units at some point. Is your vendor prepared to ship these critical items at any time?

Specialization

Is your supplier offering you and your patients products that meet your demands while staying within your budget? Are they appropriate for your workflow and the processes and services you provide? Is your supplier aware of what you do?

ViSi Mobile Patient Monitoring Device System

The ViSi Mobile Monitoring System comes with a 1-year warranty and is intended for use by clinicians and medically qualified staff to monitor single or multiple parameters of adult patients' vital signs (18 years or older). Features include:

  • ECG (3 or 5 lead-wire)
  • Respiration rate (RESP)
  • Heart rate (HR)
  • Non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP),
  • Continuous non-invasive blood pressure (cNIBP)
  • Non-invasive monitoring of functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2)
  • Pulse rate (PR)
  • Skin temperature (TEMP).

Adaptability

From the general floor to high acuity surgeries, the ViSi Mobile patient monitoring device is designed for flexibility in different areas of care. ViSi alarm configurations can be modified to conform to the alarm policies set by the clinical care unit. This device has already been tried and tested in the hospital general ward, emergency room, and ICU settings.

Friendly Interface

The Monitor is a compact and lightweight device worn on the patient’s wrist. The Monitor is held in place by the Wrist Cradle, which allows sensors to be connected. The Monitor can be removed from the Wrist Cradle to charge, or swapped for another Monitor. The Monitor uses a touchscreen user interface to access the displays and monitoring functions.

Portable and Connected

The ViSi Mobile Monitoring System is a patient-worn, portable, battery-operated, physiological monitoring device. Powered by a rechargeable battery lasting at least 12 hours, the Monitor is a lightweight (weighing approximately 125 grams) portable patient vital signs monitor featuring a high resolution, full-color display touchscreen with visual and audible alarms and alerts. Compact, can be mounted and be moved by hand to changing patient locations.

In addition to this, ViSi Mobile is able to wirelessly transmit data, leveraging existing hospital WiFi infrastructure, and is designed to provide information output in electronic form (i.e. EMR connectivity) as well as print-outs.

A Comprehensive Guide | Patient Monitoring Devices (2)

A Comprehensive Guide | Patient Monitoring Devices (2024)

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