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Monitors

Monitors are used for monitoring several parameters.

Consistent monitoring helps optimize patient safety.

There are bedside monitors that can go on transport with the patient throughout the hospital. Monitors try to combine portability and measurement flexibility to match the pace and unique needs of intermediate care environments – at the patient’s side.

Innovation in patient monitoring provide easy access to complex information so ICU caregivers can spend less time with equipment and more time with patients.

monitors

Parameters which are mostly displayed on monitors –

o ECG
o SPO2
o Temperature
o Respiration
o B.P(NIBP/IBP)
o EtCO2 – end tidal co2 measurement.
o Cardiac output
o NMT
o EEG

Components:

Sensor:
Sensors include biosensors and mechanical sensors.

Translating component:
It is responsible for converting the signals from the sensors to a format that can be shown on the display device.

Display device:
It is where data is displayed on a screen. Data may be presented as graphs, numeric readouts etc.

Alarms:
A monitor can also have the function to produce an alarm to alert the staff when some parameter exceeds or falls the level limits.

Modern monitors:

Modern monitors may have these features:
o Touch screen.
o Inbuilt recorder
o Display 5 or more waveforms at one time
o Storing of trending data
o Parameters in tabular as well as graphic form.
o Large font display
o Large screen.
o Easy and trouble free layout
o Comes with printer and paper.
o Configurable screen
o Option of detachable EtCO2 module.

Several models of multi-parameter monitors are networkable, i.e., they can send their output to a central ICU monitoring station, where a single staff member can observe and respond to several bedside monitors simultaneously.

Transmitting data from a monitor to a distant monitoring station is known as telemetry or biotelemetry.

Ambulatory telemetry can also be achieved by portable, battery-operated models which are carried by the patient and which transmit their data via a wireless data connection.

Advanced monitors may have integrated monitoring solutions that brings together patient data from diverse sources – vital signs, lab data, patient data, management system, and images in both DICOM and HTML formats.