Monitoring vital signs is critical in acute care facilities. Blood pressure (BP), pulse, respiration rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and temperature are the traditional five vital signs. These signals are generally used to track the progress of patients. Changing trends in patients' vital signs data might signal clinical deterioration, which without quick identification and intervention, can lead to adverse consequences or death. [1]
Continuous Vital Sign Monitoring Using Mobile Wearable Devices
Routine vital sign measurements are performed manually and intermittently on most patients in general wards, with or without automated machines, at intervals determined by the severity of the patient's condition. Vital signs data are typically recorded on paper charts placed at the end of patients' beds or in their rooms. These processes are prone to error and/or failure, such as insufficient monitoring frequency, incomplete data, inaccurate calculations of the early warning score (EWS), and poor chart legibility and interpretability, all of which have been linked to the failure to recognize and respond to patient deterioration. [2]
The development of wearable vital sign monitoring devices has made it possible to continuously measure patients' vital signs (O2, CO, PO2, heart rate) and track their progress. These devices are becoming increasingly common in general wards, as they offer several advantages over traditional methods of vital sign monitoring. They are worn on the body and do not require manual input; they are silent and unobtrusive; they can be used in any general ward, and they provide real-time data that can be easily analyzed. [3]
Rapid Response Time with Continuous Wireless Vital Sign Monitoring
The first advantage of continuous vital sign monitoring is its rapid response time. If a patient's vital signs change, the device will immediately report this to the nurse or doctor. This allows for quick and accurate identification of any changes in health and for initiating appropriate interventions.
The second advantage of continuous vital sign monitoring is its accuracy. Because wearable devices measure actual values and are not at risk of human error. This means that it can provide more reliable information about a patient's health status and progress. [3]
The third advantage of continuous vital sign monitoring is its accessibility. Because wearable devices are worn on the body, they can be used in any general ward where patients are being monitored.
Studies have shown that the use of wearable vital sign monitors can improve patient assessment and response time from medical staff by providing timely information on changes in clinical status. In addition, continuous vital sign monitoring has been shown to improve early warning score calculation accuracy, shorten the time required for detecting deterioration, and reduce hospital mortality.
The incorporation of mobile or wireless vital sign monitoring technologies enables medical teams to deliver better care for patients by following patient vital sign anomalies more accurately and precisely. Furthermore, nurses and medical professionals have a reduced burden and may focus more on intervention and treatment. [3]
Minimizing Impact and Maximizing Value
The ViSi Mobile Device is a multi-parameter continuous vital signs monitoring system that is worn on the body and measures Heart Rate, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, SpO2, Continuous Non-Invasive Blood Pressure, and Skin Surface Temperature. ViSi Mobile was tested for 19 weeks on a neurology general care unit study with a high prevalence of rapid response calls necessitating escalation of care. During this evaluation, healthcare staff stated that early intervention prevented 31% of escalation of care occurrences from requiring an ICU transfer.
Reducing hospital mortality is of utmost importance, and the ViSi Mobile Device has the potential to shorten the time required for detecting deterioration and reduce hospital mortality. Even one failure-to-rescue is one too many, request a demo today!
Sources:
- https://academic.oup.com/intqhc/article/28/4/515/2594957
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7351263/
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12652-017-0598-x