| Vital signs are measurements of the body’s | | | | can be captured for later review or the record. |
| most basic functions. The four main vital signs | | | | (Built-in printers and recorders can be especially |
| routinely monitored by medical professionals and | | | | useful to track apnea events by recording the |
| healthcare providers include: | | | | patient’s respiration, heart rate and oxygen |
| · Body temperature | | | | saturation level.) Other models can be connected |
| · Pulse rate | | | | wirelessly to printers. |
| · Respiration rate (rate of breathing) | | | | Connectivity: |
| · Blood pressure (Blood pressure is not | | | | Like many technologies, vital signs monitors are |
| considered a vital sign, but is often measured | | | | becoming smaller and smaller. The Welch Allyn |
| along with the vital signs.) | | | | Micropaq wireless ambulatory monitor, for |
| Vital signs monitors provide continuous monitoring | | | | example, features waveform display, |
| of multiple critical parameters, including | | | | multi-parameter monitoring and patient alarm |
| temperature, noninvasive blood pressure, pulse | | | | capabilities in a patient-wearable device. This |
| rate, ECG and oxygen saturation (SpO2), making | | | | 1-pound unit provides measurement of ECG, heart |
| them suitable for conscious sedation procedures | | | | rate and pulse oximetry. It’s said to be |
| as well as simple monitoring. They are found in | | | | well-suited for use in cardiac care with ambulatory |
| the acute care setting as well as clinical and | | | | patients connected wirelessly to a network and |
| private office settings. | | | | central nursing workstation. |
| Key Selling Points: | | | | Data from vital signs monitors could become an |
| - Ease of transport and portability | | | | integral part of electronic medical records very |
| - Versatility and flexibility | | | | soon. In fact, as many as 64 GE DINAMAP PRO |
| - The clarity with which readings are displayed | | | | monitors can be connected to its CHANT Server |
| - Their ability to be networked with central | | | | software for automatic uploading into the |
| workstations | | | | electronic medical record. |
| - Their ability to be incorporated into electronic | | | | At least one company – QRS Diagnostics in |
| medical records systems. | | | | Plymouth, Minn. – uses PC Card technology to |
| Ease of transport of vital signs monitors is a | | | | convert off-the-shelf PC, laptop or handheld |
| strong selling point in both inpatient and outpatient | | | | computers into medical devices, including monitors. |
| settings. Some models weighing less than 10 | | | | The company’s VitalCards product has yet to |
| pounds can be easily carried with convenient | | | | be cleared by the FDA. However, it’s already |
| carrying handles. Many monitors can be stand- and | | | | marketing cards for spirometry, |
| roller-mounted for easy transport. For example, | | | | electrocardiography and spirometry/pulse |
| GE Medical Systems touts that its DINAMAP PRO | | | | oximetry. Combined with personal digital assistants |
| Series Monitor sports roller blade-style wheels for | | | | (PDAs) that support wireless networking, these |
| effortless gliding. | | | | cards can be used for mobile wireless health |
| Accessories for vital signs monitors can include | | | | monitoring. |
| reusable or disposable cuffs, cuff hoses and | | | | For more information please contact Medical |
| power cords. Some units have built-in printers or | | | | Machines Online. |
| recorders, so that waveforms and graphic trends | | | | |