In an ideal world, every nurse would have one patient they could care for and easily keep an eye on, but unfortunately, that’s just possible. A nurse can’t always be present when a patient takes a turn for the worse, but that’s where patient monitoring devices come in handy. These devices can track various vitals, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and more. While every medical facility is a little different, there are a few types of patient monitoring devices every practice needs.
Blood Pressure Cuffs
Blood pressure is one of the four main vitals that medical professionals routinely monitor, and it’s often the first thing staff will measure once a patient enters an exam room. By measuring changes in artery motion, a blood pressure cuff can calculate the heart rate and blood flow of a patient. A blood pressure cuff can easily tell you if a patient has hypertension or hypotension, but sometimes, continuous at-home monitoring is necessary. Due to the fact that blood pressure is such an important vital sign in terms of diagnosis and condition management, every practice should have blood pressure cuffs at their disposal.
Pulse Oximeters
A pulse oximeter is a noninvasive, pain-free way to measure the blood's oxygen level, also known as oxygen saturation. When attached to the patient’s finger, the device measures light wavelengths that pass through the finger, determining how much oxygen is circulating in a person’s red blood cells. However, many outside factors can affect a pulse oximeter’s readings. If a person uses tobacco, has nail polish or artificial fingernails, or happens to run cold, the device may not get an accurate reading. In these cases, it’s important to use other patient monitors in tandem with the pulse oximeter.
Electrocardiography Devices
When we think of an electrocardiography (ECG) device, we may think of the large, clunky machines you see in hospital settings. Fortunately, ECGs come in many shapes and sizes, and every practice can benefit from having an ECG device. These devices check heart rate, rhythm, and electrical activity by measuring the timing and overall strength of the electrical signals that pass through the different parts of your heart. ECGs can help detect impending heart attacks, coronary heart disease, heart arrhythmia, and much more.
Thermometers and Scales
Thermometers and scales are indeed simple devices, but they are two of the most important types of patient monitors you need for your practice. Medical thermometers provide an accurate reading of the body’s internal temperature to help diagnose illnesses such as the flu and the common cold. Scales help track weight gain or weight loss over time. Often, weight fluctuations with no external or obvious cause are a sign of conditions such as thyroid disease, Cushing’s syndrome, heart failure, and more.
If you want to build a comprehensive profile of a patient's health, these devices are the lynchpins for doing so.