Arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heartbeat (also called dysrhythmia). Heart rates might also fluctuate. A typical heart rate ranges between 50 and 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmias and abnormal heart rates do not always coexist. Arrhythmias can develop with a normal heart rate or with a sluggish heart rate (called bradyarrhythmias — less than 50 beats per minute). Arrhythmias can also occur when the heart rate is fast (called tachyarrhythmias — faster than 100 beats per minute). [1]
Because there are no symptoms, the irregular heartbeat of atrial fibrillation is sometimes not discovered until the person has a life-threatening stroke or heart failure. Symptoms of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation come and go and might be easily disregarded. [2]
What are Cardiac Monitoring Systems?
Every year, about 8 million patients present to emergency rooms (ED) with chest pain and/or anginal similar symptoms, making it the second most common reason for adult ED visits. Cardiovascular emergencies account for around 10% of all ED visits. [2]
ED clinicians must distinguish between life-threatening and non-life-threatening diseases quickly and properly assess which course of therapy will result in the best patient outcomes. Cardiac monitoring strategies, such as 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and bedside monitors, allow clinicians to detect arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and QT-interval measures in real time. [2, 4]
Early monitoring focused on heart rate measurement and the detection of deadly arrhythmias. Today, heart monitoring technologies are more compact, sophisticated, and perceptive than ever before. Important heart health data and other vital signs can be monitored, recorded, and transmitted to your doctor in real-time with a cardiac monitoring device. This removes the need for many visits to your doctor's office and allows your care team to monitor your heart health from afar. Furthermore, with excellent accessibility on your end. [2]
The Need for Cardiac Monitoring Systems in the Emergency Department
The emergency department is a fast-paced, dynamic, and chaotic environment that necessitates quick and accurate decision-making to separate high-acuity patients. This is particularly true for patients with cardiac issues, who can rapidly develop life-threatening complications if not properly monitored. [2]
The objective of emergency doctors is to recognize and stabilize patients suffering from urgent cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial ischemia/infarction and potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. In recent years, cardiac monitoring is one of the most often utilized diagnostic procedures in the emergency department, and emergency nurses are ready to use vital information provided in ECG waveforms for early triage and risk classification. [2, 4]
These devices are compact, portable, and can be worn on the body or placed on a bedside table. They provide real-time data on heart rate, rhythm, and blood pressure. By providing critical early data about a patient's heart health, cardiac monitoring devices can help emergency doctors make more informed decisions about care and treatment.
A study by the American College of Cardiology found that patients who received cardiac monitoring had a shorter stay in the ED and fewer readmissions than those who did not receive cardiac monitoring.
Why Choose ViSi Mobile for Continuous Vital Sign Monitoring
An operational test report of ViSi mobile from the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory demonstrated that ViSi Mobile fulfills its goal of reducing entanglement and eliminating the need to connect and disconnect from various vital signs monitoring devices on a continuous basis.
ViSi mobile has been applied as a remote monitoring solution in emergency departments, not only for cardiac-related alerts but holistically since it has a wide range of features. ViSi Mobile was first presented to the healthcare system when they needed a solution to quickly build an Overflow Unit due to disruption caused by continuous facility maintenance. Following the successful usage of ViSi Mobile in this context, it became clear that the technology might also be utilized to triage high-risk Emergency Department patients.
Additionally, ViSi Mobile connects clinicians to their patients, keeping them informed of any changes in their status, whether on the ward or in travel. The gadget includes sensors placed on the patient's body without impeding movement. Accurate readings of heart rate, pulse rate, CNIBP, and respiration rate, as well as skin temperature, ECGs, posture assessment, arrhythmias, and fall detection, are provided by the device. [3]
With our newest software update, ViSi Mobile can do these things even better by using our database of more than 20 million hours of patient data to help clinical staff more accurately spot potential problems. Request a demo!
Sources:
- https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6973-what-heart-monitor-is-best-at-detecting-irregular-heartbeats
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5630152/
- https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/11/12/2333064/0/en/ViSi-Mobile-Chosen-As-Remote-Monitoring-Solution-For-Busy-Emergency-Department.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3966438/