Vital signs are an important part of monitoring the patient's status during hospitalization because they allow for the early discovery of delayed recovery or adverse outcomes. The vital signs of a patient are measured to provide fundamental markers of their health status. If the readings are outside of a normal range, they may indicate dysfunction or a disease state.
However, with the progress of technology, vital sign monitoring is now easier than it was with simply a pen and paper. Since the market has expanded, there are many various types of vital signs monitors available, making it difficult to select the appropriate one for your practice's needs.
This guide will walk you through important considerations when buying a vital signs monitor.
A vital signs monitor is a device that measures vital indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. Vital signs are essential markers of your health and can aid in diagnosing illnesses. Vital sign monitors are commonly used in hospitals and clinics but can also be used at home.
Basic displays indicate heart rates, blood pressure, and body temperature. However, more modern types of vital signs monitors will show how much oxygen is carried by your blood or how quickly you breathe, i.e., SPO2 and respiration rate. They may show how much pressure your brain is under and how much carbon dioxide you breathe. The monitor will emit auditory cues if any of your vital signs fall below the acceptable range.
In the United States, about 130 million patients attend the emergency room yearly, and many of these patients require vital signs monitors. However, the huge selection of medical monitors is due to their diverse roles. Then, how do you select the optimal vital signs monitor for your practice?
Consider your specific practice needs before beginning your search for a vital signs monitor. Monitors of vital signs are available in various sizes and with several functions to accommodate varied medical situations.
For instance, if you need medical monitors in an operating room, you must verify that they have gas and agent analysis capabilities. Then, the end-tidal CO2 and the amount of expelled gas can be compared. A blood pressure monitor measures heart rate and blood flow, whereas a SpO2 monitor measures the blood's oxygen saturation. Heart rate monitors can monitor the heart rate of a sleeping patient. For your medical practice, you may require specialized capabilities such as ECG monitoring or a patient monitor with many functions.
Consider your long-term goals when purchasing a vital signs monitoring device. While you may just require a few vital signs monitors right now, do you anticipate that your requirements may change in the future?
Different operating systems are also used by vital signs monitors. Some systems function independently, which is ideal for smaller offices requiring only a few patient monitors. If you need many devices, look for ones with broad networking and communication options to accommodate the size or potential development of your clinic.
The global patient monitoring market is predicted to grow at an 8.8% compound yearly growth rate. There are more functionalities on vital signs monitors than ever before, so see if you can add specific options and keep an eye out for functions that could benefit your clinic.
To integrate new patient monitors with your existing network, you may require wired or wireless solutions. Look for features such as daily average readings for patients or connection options that allow you to access data while on the go.
The greatest vital signs monitoring does not have to be the most complicated; it should be user-friendly, with functionalities that make it as simple for medical staff as feasible. If you require portability, search for vital signs monitors that are easy to transport or move around. Examine how information is communicated and exchanged on patient monitors, and choose an option that clearly indicates changes in vital signs.
When purchasing vital signs monitors, it is also critical to consider your budget. Check to see if there are any payment plans or alternative payment options. The most costly monitor is not usually the greatest, nor is the cheapest always the best price. You must strike a balance between a high-quality vital signs monitor that will support your practice in the long run and one that is within your budget.
Quality vital signs monitors are essential for medical practices and can improve patient care in various ways. When choosing the ideal vital signs monitor for your clinic, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, following these five tips should help you find the best monitor for your needs.
Are you considering purchasing vital signs monitors for your practice needs?
Our ViSi Mobile is a comprehensive vital signs monitoring system that is portable whether in bed, in transport, or while ambulating. Our system records continuous non-invasive blood pressure, SPO2, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, skin temperature, ECG, posture, arrhythmias, and even fall detection. All of those features are in one.