Most people associate the sound of beeping machines with hospitals. The cause of that beeping is often some type of patient monitoring system. Different systems work in various hospital wings and other facilities to provide patients with effective care. If you’re looking for a new monitoring system, Future Health Concepts can help. Keep reading to understand how patient monitors work and key things to know as you look for a new system.
Overview of Patient Monitors and Their Uses in Medical Care
Patient monitoring is an essential process for providing patients with the highest level of care. It assists healthcare staff in tracking patient vital signs, detecting anomalies in the body, and identifying any abnormalities that could lead to serious medical conditions.
Accurate Measurement of Vital Signs
Vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature, play a crucial role in indicating overall health and anomalies. These measurements provide instant feedback, enabling prompt decision-making based on the displayed readings. Healthcare professionals can use vital signs to assess a patient’s condition and take the necessary steps to ensure their well-being.
Risk Reduction in Surgical Procedures
Patient monitors assist in estimating patient responses to anesthesia and medication. They also provide continuous control during surgery, enabling appropriate and efficient response to signs of instability.
Monitoring of Vital Organs
A certain kind of monitoring device can employ ECG and pulse oximetry to measure heart rate, rhythm, oxygen saturation, and pulse rate. It enables early diagnosis of heart and lung conditions, which in turn facilitates effective treatment options and improves the chances of successful outcomes.
Different Types of Patient Monitors and How They Work
Most of the time, a single patient monitor cannot perform all the above functions. Instead, there are different types of patient monitors that support different functions.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) Monitors
An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor is a device that captures the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes attached to the patient’s body. The device records the electrical signals the heart produces to monitor its rhythm and detect any abnormalities.
Pulse Oximeters
Healthcare professionals clip these monitors onto patient’s fingers and toes to measure blood oxygen saturation levels. The device uses infrared light to detect the amount of oxygen in the blood. Pulse oximeter monitors are noninvasive, making them popular for use with infants, children, and elderly patients.
Blood Pressure Monitors
Medical professionals use these devices for patients with hypertension or who are at risk of developing high blood pressure. The monitor records the patient’s systolic blood pressure, which is the maximum pressure exerted on the artery walls during a heartbeat. It also records diastolic blood pressure, which is the lowest pressure in the artery during a heartbeat.
Benefits of Using Patient Monitors in Medical Care
While the machines above aren’t the only monitors that healthcare professionals use, they are the most common. No matter what the people in your medical facility are using, they can reap the following benefits of using patient monitors.
Early Detection and Diagnosis
Patient monitors can detect early signs of complications and prevent them from escalating. Early detection of an abnormality can give healthcare providers ample time to intervene and prevent the progression of the condition. Rapid detection and diagnosis can lead to early management, intervention, and better treatment outcomes.
Improved Patient Outcomes and Safety
Good monitoring systems can help healthcare providers make informed decisions on patient care, including medication administration, optics, and management of a patient’s comorbidities. Consistent and accurate monitoring can prevent diagnostic errors, missed injuries or illnesses, and harmful drug interactions. Patient monitors also enhance patient safety by alerting healthcare providers to any concerning changes in vital signs or other physiological parameters.
Increased Efficiency and Improved Workflow
Monitors enable healthcare providers to monitor many patients simultaneously. As a result, nurses can spend more time with patients and attend to other duties, such as medication administration and wound care. With real-time data at their disposal, healthcare providers can prioritize patient care more effectively.
Adverse Effects of Using Patient Monitors Incorrectly
Despite the benefits of monitoring systems, we must acknowledge that there are drawbacks if you don’t use them correctly. Proper training can prevent these adverse effects, but you need to know what they look like so you can prevent and fix them.
False Readings
False readings can happen for various reasons, such as incorrect positioning of the sensor on the patient’s body, loose connections, or interference from other nearby medical equipment. These bad readings can trick physicians into providing unnecessary treatment or, worse, failing to address a medical issue at hand. These mistakes can have potentially devastating effects on patients, making accurate use of monitoring systems essential.
Misinterpretation of Data
Wrong interpretation of the data from a patient monitor can result in misguided medical decisions, leading to incorrect treatments or therapies. Misinterpretation can occur due to various reasons, including user or device errors. Therefore, investing in patient monitors that are user-friendly and reliable is crucial.
Tips for Choosing the Right Patient Monitor for Your Needs
To avoid adverse effects, you must invest in the right patient monitor for your needs. We provide some tips below so you can find the best option for your healthcare facility and staff.
Consider Facility Size and Function
When choosing a patient monitor, consider your facility’s size and primary function. For example, if your facility primarily deals with cardiac patients, you’ll need a monitor with specialized cardiac features. If you’re a smaller clinic, you’ll likely be better off with a compact and easy-to-use monitor.
Look for User-Friendly Features
Patient monitors can come with various features such as color-coded alarms, Wi-Fi connectivity, wireless capabilities, and touch screens. Consider which features are best for your facility and staff. Also, consider the ease of use of the monitor since clinicians and nursing staff will use it frequently. Ideally, you want to choose a patient monitor that is easy for staff to train on and that has a user-friendly interface.
Check for Compliance With Relevant Standards
Several medical standards and guidelines—such as the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)—govern the use and certification of medical equipment. Ensure the patient monitor you choose is compliant with relevant standards to ensure patient safety and avoid regulatory problems.
The key things to know about monitoring systems are how they work, available benefits, potential effects of misuse, and how to find the right one. Now that you understand how patient monitors work, you can find the best one for your facility. Future Health Concepts offers patient monitor machines that will work hard for your facility and keep it running at its best, so start your search with us today.