Hospital Vital Signs Monitoring | Understand How to Enhance Patient Care

Hospitals use vital signs monitors to keep track of a patient's health and monitor their vitals during their stay. Vital signs are measured and recorded regularly to help doctors and nurses diagnose problems and make informed decisions about the patient's care.

Monitoring vital signs can help ensure that patients receive the best possible care. By monitoring a patient's heart rate, temperature, oxygen levels, and blood pressure, hospitals can identify any issues early on. Vital signs also provide information about the general health of a patient, which can be used to adjust their treatment plan accordingly.

Monitoring vital signs is an essential part of hospital care. By understanding how hospitals monitor vital signs, you can ensure that your patients receive the best possible care.

What is a Vital Sign?

A vital sign is a physical measurement that reflects the general health of a person. Hospital vital signs monitoring can be taken from any part of the body, and include heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiration.

It is important for patients to have their vital signs monitored regularly. This helps to ensure that they are staying healthy and that any changes are quickly detected. When monitoring patients on general care floors, there are five primary vital signs that medical professionals check:

Temperature: Normal body temperature can vary from 97.7 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit, but 96.2 to 97.9 degrees is the average.

Heart Rate: A healthy heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, but it typically averages 70-90 beats per minute.

Respiratory Rate: The respiratory rate measures how many times a person inhales and exhales per minute and is usually between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.

Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is typically measured on the upper arm, and it should be below 130/80 mm Hg systolic and below 80 mm Hg diastolic on both readings.

Oxygen Saturation: Oxygen saturation levels should be above 92 percent in adults unless they are in higher elevation than they are accustomed to or if they are receiving oxygen therapy for another medical condition.

How do Hospitals Monitor Vital Signs?

Hospitals have various methods for monitoring patients' vital signs. Some facilities use biometric devices to track heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiration. Others use manual techniques such as using blood pressure cuffs or listening with stethoscopes. Additionally, some hospitals use advanced technology like electronic monitors that transmit vital sign information wirelessly to medical staff.

Hospitals employ several techniques for monitoring vital signs, but the most prevalent method is through the use of specialized equipment known as a hospital vital signs monitor.

• The use of a hospital vital signs monitor is the most common method for monitoring vital signs in hospitals. These specialized devices measure a patient's blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and oxygen levels. Each hospital may have its own monitoring protocol in place for vital signs, which determines how often and under what circumstances vital signs are checked.
• Some hospitals have implemented automated monitoring systems, which continuously measure and record vital signs for patients. This type of system is often used for critically ill patients or those who require close monitoring due to a specific condition. These systems typically provide real-time data, which can be accessed by medical staff to ensure the patient's condition is stable.
• Other hospitals may rely on periodic vital sign checks performed by nurses. In this approach, a nurse will physically measure vital signs such as blood pressure and temperature using a sphygmomanometer or thermometer at specific intervals, such as every four hours. This method is more labor-intensive than automated monitoring systems, but it can be appropriate for patients who do not require continuous monitoring. The vital sign data is typically recorded on the patient's chart for later analysis by the medical team.

Hospital vital sign monitors like Sotera Visi Mobile is a device that can assist in monitoring the vital signs of patients in a hospital setting. It utilizes sensors to track things like heart rate, blood pressure, and other important indicators. Additionally, it can also monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in certain instances.

How Often Should Vitals Signs Be Taken in Hospitals?

Vital signs should be taken at regular intervals in order to get an accurate picture of a patient's health. However, the frequency of vital sign monitoring will depend on the individual patient's needs. For example, patients who are critically ill or who have unstable vital signs will need to be monitored more frequently than those who are stable. In general, though, most general care units will take vital signs every 4-6 hours.

How to Use a Hospital Vital Sign Monitor?

To use a hospital vital sign monitor, your biomedical engineering team will calibrate it annually to ensure accuracy. Then you just need to apply the sensors and after that, all you are able to do is monitor the vital signs. If the monitor is integrated into the Electronic Medical Record, the data will automatically flow into the record, otherwise, the values need to be manually entered into the patient’s record.

The Best Vital Signs Monitor For Your Needs

Quality vital signs monitors are essential for medical practices and can improve patient care in a variety of ways. When it comes to choosing the ideal vital signs monitor for your hospital or clinic, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, following these five tips should help you find the best monitor for your needs:

• Consider your budget
• Evaluate your specific needs
• Research different brands and models
• Get input from your staff
• Make a decision and stick with it

If you're looking for a hospital vital signs monitoring device for your practice, we recommend our ViSi Mobile system. It's comprehensive and can be used while the patient is in bed, transport, or ambulatory. 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 device. 

What questions do you have about hospital vital sign monitoring? Let us know!

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6333367/