The first roundtable article of 2024 looks at patient monitors. TechNation reached out to experts for the latest advice and information regarding these devices, including what to look for when purchasing them.
Participants in the roundtable article on patient monitors are Pioneer Biomedical Technician Manager Jake Haslag, Tenacore Senior Director of Capital Equipment Sales and Purchasing Brad Hejazifar, GE HealthCare GM Monitoring Solutions Neal Sandy, USOC Houston General Manager Kevin Wyatt and PM Biomedical Chief Operating Officer Ali Marwan Youssef.
Q: What should be considered when purchasing patient monitors?
Haslag: There are a couple of things to consider when purchasing a monitor. First, you want to make sure you are purchasing the device from a trusted source. You also want to consider the age of the device to ensure it will be supported for years to come.
Hejazifar: It is crucial to understand the specific hospital department where the patient monitoring equipment will be used before making a purchase. Departments might include the ED, General, ICU/CCU, Transport, Labor and Delivery (L&D), NICU, OR, PACU, Stepdown/Cardiac Care. Detailed information about software, configuration options, and usage type are very important to understand.
Sandy: What we hear from customers every day is that they need flexibility, now and into the future. At GE HealthCare we call this FlexAcuity, the ability to flex capabilities based on individual patient needs and transition seamlessly between care areas across the enterprise. It means you have a unified monitoring platform that can adapt with your needs and is ready for the future. For example, the CARESCAPE Canvas monitoring ecosystem has the potential for a hospital to have one single unified approach to patient monitoring that can be easily tailored for each patient. This enables care teams to focus on the patient, not the technology. CARESCAPE Canvas’ innovative approach, where software and patient parameters can change in a very nimble manner, enable a standardized ecosystem that can adapt to changing health care needs. We saw this need during COVID and continue to see it today with trauma events and population health changes.
Wyatt: In selecting patient monitors, we at USOC Medical always emphasize the integration with existing systems and the capability for future upgrades, especially with emerging telehealth technologies. We advise considering monitors with modular designs and robust data security features. It’s also crucial to look into the monitor’s power requirements, portability, screen resolution, data storage and brand reliability. Our team helps clients understand these factors, offering solutions that align with their total cost of ownership, including maintenance needs.
Youssef: When purchasing patient monitors, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that you choose the right equipment for your health care facility. Here are some key considerations:
- monitoring capabilities
- customization and expandability
- integration with electronic health records (EHR)
- alarms and alerts
- portability and mobility
- battery life
- connectivity and networking
- training and support
- cost and budget considerations
By carefully considering these factors, you can select patient monitors that align with the specific needs and requirements of your health care facility. It’s advisable to involve health care professionals, biomedical engineers and IT staff in the decision-making process to ensure comprehensive evaluation and successful implementation.
Q: What are the basic ‘must have’ measurements every patient monitor should provide?
Haslag: Patient monitor “must have” parameters would be SPO2 and NIBP. These are some of the most basic measurements, but it provides clinical staff with the information to ensure proper patient care.
Hejazifar: The basic “must have” vital signs/measurements are Electrocardiogram (ECG), SpO2, temperature (Temp), Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP), and Invasive Blood Pressure (IBP). There are many other measurements that can be added as well, such as End-Tidal CO2, EtC02, anesthetic agent, respiration, EEG and more.
Sandy: Every patient monitor needs the core parameters used every day by clinicians but more importantly, they need to provide data the clinicians can trust for every patient at every point of care. At GE HealthCare, our FlexAcuity enabled platforms enable core parameters and allow you to add more advanced parameters whenever you need them. Patient monitoring needs are as diverse as the patients themselves. Having the flexibility to seamlessly scale your monitor to a patient’s needs ensures that every patient receives the “must have” monitoring that is relevant to their condition. Products like the CARESCAPE ONE from GE HealthCare that use medical grade micro-modules make it very easy for clinicians to add or remove parameters as patient needs change.
Wyatt: At USOC Medical, we understand the importance of monitors that can accurately track heart rhythm, blood oxygen levels and blood pressure. We recommend devices with advanced features like wireless connectivity and customizable interfaces, ensuring adaptability in various clinical environments. Our experience shows that advanced battery life and portability are increasingly sought after, and we guide our clients in choosing monitors that meet these modern demands.
Youssef: A comprehensive patient monitor should be able to provide essential measurements that help health care professionals assess a patient’s vital signs and overall health. The basic “must-have” measurements for a patient monitor typically include:
- Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)
- Heart Rate (HR)
- Blood Pressure (BP)
- Respiratory Rate (RR)
- Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
- Temperature (Temp)
These basic measurements provide critical information about a patient’s cardiovascular and respiratory status, as well as overall physiological well-being. In addition to these core measurements, modern patient monitors may also offer additional parameters.
Q: How can an HTM department help extend the life (usefulness) of patient monitors?
Haslag: An HTM department can help extend the life of patient monitors by providing service and parts for the monitors. Even though the OEM may have implemented an “End of Life” for the model, there are many sources that provide parts and service to the ageing units, allowing you to keep the monitors up and running well beyond the manufacturer’s end of life.
Hejazifar: Taking preventive measures is always the best course of action. In addition, regular calibration and servicing of your devices can help prolong lifespan. By partnering with a service provider that has full repair capability, access to quality-tested parts, and certified replacement units, you can extend the use of your current fleet, avoid costly upgrades for your facility, and ensure that your patients receive the highest quality care possible.
Sandy: Backward compatibility allows health care systems to upgrade to the latest capabilities at their own pace. For example, our CARESCAPE Canvas bedside monitor was developed and tested with the rest of GE HealthCare’s patient monitoring ecosystem, not only with the current devices available, but also with prior versions that are used across the 100 million patients monitored by GE HealthCare devices each year.
Wyatt: Our approach at USOC Medical to extending the lifespan of patient monitors involves proactive maintenance and timely repairs. Regular software updates and calibration are part of our service ethos. We provide comprehensive training for staff on proper equipment handling, which is crucial for longevity. Our robust inventory of parts and a team of experienced technicians are always ready to assist, ensuring minimal downtime and optimizing the investment in these essential devices.
Youssef: A healthcare technology management (HTM) department plays a crucial role in maintaining and optimizing the performance of medical equipment, including patient monitors. Here are several ways an HTM department can help extend the life and usefulness of patient monitors: preventive maintenance; calibration and accuracy checks; and software updates and upgrades. By implementing these strategies, the HTM department can contribute significantly to extending the life and usefulness of patient monitors, ensuring their reliability and effectiveness in supporting patient care. Regular monitoring, maintenance, and collaboration with manufacturers and health care staff are key elements of a successful HTM program.
Q. What are some of the latest features available on today’s patient monitors?
Haslag: Remote Access – allows the manufacturer to remote into your device to assist with troubleshooting and repairs. This is a helpful tool as the manufacturer can see in live time what is going on with the device and help you come to a resolution quicker. Bedside encryption – adds a safety layer to the bedside monitor. Using bedside encryption greatly diminishes the chances for a malicious attack to your hospitals network infrastructure. In today’s world this is a great added feature that many manufacturers have started implementing into their patient monitoring system.
Hejazifar: We are witnessing an increasing number of original equipment manufacturers integrating AI into their systems to provide timely alerts for clinical risks. These software advancements have the capability of predicting potential critical clinical events like sepsis, hemorrhage, cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure and intubation emergencies.
Sandy: Flexible platforms, standardization and ease of use by leveraging micromodules that connect with standardized medical USB technology – simply adding or disconnecting cables equipped for various configurations enables more efficient care based on patient care needs. Patient mobility is key to recovery so monitors, especially in med/surg and recovery units, need to support the patient getting up out of bed and walking around. GE HealthCare’s Portrait Mobile is a wireless and wearable continuous monitoring solution that provides a real-time personalized view of the patient. The device and sensors are wireless, so Portrait Mobile encourages mobility and goes wherever the patient goes, while measuring respiration rate, oxygen saturation and pulse rate continuously, while also allowing them to remain fully mobile, untethered by cable and wires. Portrait Mobile is wireless and fits in a hospital gown pocket or tele pouch, allowing patients to remain fully mobile during critical recovery periods, such as after surgery or discharge from the intensive care unit, all while clinicians have access to a personalized view of the patient’s vitals. Further, unlike wearables based on consumer technologies like Bluetooth, Portrait Mobile leverages an innovative purpose-built medical grade transmission protocol, Byndr, designed so the wireless signal is as reliable as a wired connection.
Wyatt: We’re excited about the latest patient monitors incorporating IoT connectivity and cloud-based analytics, which USOC Medical is adept at servicing and supporting. Our team is also exploring the integration of virtual assistant technology to aid clinicians. We focus on monitors offering customizable patient profiles for personalized care, aligning with our commitment to providing technology that meets individual patient needs and conditions.
Youssef: Patient monitors continue to evolve with new features, upgrades and technologies. Some examples are wireless connectivity, touchscreen interfaces, remote monitoring, modular configurations, smart notifications and alerts and advanced cardiac monitoring.
Q: How does the possibility of a hospital-at-home program impact patient monitor purchase decisions?
Haslag: There are many things that could impact patient monitor purchasing decisions and at-home programs would be one of them. One thing to consider would be the size/weight of the unit as the patient could be mobile while being monitored. Also understanding how the monitor will be used in the at-home setting would be crucial to determine the right monitor for your needs. The ability to store patient information and upload into the hospital system is a must have for an at-home use monitor.
Hejazifar: It’s important to consider the unique details of each project. When purchasing patient monitoring equipment, it’s crucial to understand which hospital department or which types of clinical care are being provided. Having a hospital-at-home program may change the specific needs for a patient monitor. In a hospital-at-home setting the greatest need may be for simple types of vital sign monitoring as compared to the more complex measurement tools needed in an acute care setting.
Sandy: It is essential to provide for a smooth, seamless transition from hospital to home monitoring that provides for data continuity, consistent caregiver communication and care plan delivery. There are significant synergy opportunities around wearables that transition from hospital to home use, data management and AI to improve the identification of the patient candidate pool for home care and risk scoring. Utilizing one vendor who can provide both hospital and home monitoring increases the synergy opportunities and provides for a more consistent delivery of care.
Wyatt: At USOC Medical, we recognize the hospital-at-home model’s growing importance. We advise on monitors that are not only portable but capable of continuous remote monitoring. Our recommended devices are user-friendly, with easy home Wi-Fi network connectivity, ensuring they meet the standards of hospital-level care in a home setting. Our team is dedicated to supporting these innovative solutions, making high-quality care more accessible.
Youssef: Hospital-at-home programs involve the provision of minor-level care to patients in their homes, allowing them to receive medical treatment and monitoring in a home-based setting rather than in a traditional hospital. Here are some ways in which the possibility of a hospital-at-home program can influence patient monitor purchase decisions:
- Remote Monitoring Capabilities – Patient monitors used in hospital-at-home programs must have robust remote monitoring capabilities. These monitors should be able to transmit real-time patient data to health care providers, ensuring continuous and timely assessment of vital signs.
- Wireless Connectivity – Patient monitors with wireless connectivity are essential for seamless integration into hospital-at-home programs. This allows health care professionals to monitor patients remotely and receive data updates without the need for physical connections.
- Portability and Mobility – Consideration for patient monitors that are portable and easy to set up is crucial for hospital-at-home programs. This facilitates the mobility of the equipment within the patient’s home and allows for flexibility in care delivery.
- User-Friendly Interfaces – The patient monitor should have an intuitive and user-friendly interface to accommodate not only health care professionals but also patients and caregivers. Easy navigation is essential for effective use in a home setting.
- Training and Support – Adequate training and support for both health care professionals and patients are crucial for the successful implementation of hospital-at-home programs. Patient monitors should come with comprehensive training materials and ongoing support.
Q: What else do you think TechNation readers need to know about purchasing and servicing patient monitoring devices?
Haslag: Ensure that it is compatible with other equipment it may be used with and know the intended use for the monitor. Even though the manufacturer may no longer support some units there are many third parties that still service and support these devices and will for years to come. Third-party servicers are a great option for hospitals looking to save some money and keep their hospital fleet up and running.
Sandy: Purchasing of patient monitoring often includes not only the individual monitoring devices, but also the ecosystem. This can take many forms but often includes connectivity to central stations, remote viewing, integration to electronic health record systems and data exchange with other hospital IT systems and platforms. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate a vendor’s ability to support your purchasing needs not only today, but also into the future. Can future purchases work with past investments? Can the technology scale as your enterprise grows or changes over time. Is there an easy path to give your clinicians access to new technology as your standards of care evolve or new parameters and clinical measurements are introduced.
Wyatt: When it comes to purchasing and servicing patient monitoring devices, we at USOC Medical recommend taking a holistic view. We emphasize the importance of scalability and flexibility in monitors to adapt to evolving medical practices. We also focus on the environmental impact and sustainability of these devices. Our comprehensive training, robust warranty options and efficient customer service ensure our clients receive the best possible support throughout their monitor’s life cycle.
Youssef: TechNation readers, who are likely professionals in the healthcare technology management (HTM) and biomedical engineering fields, should be aware of several key considerations when it comes to purchasing and servicing patient monitoring devices. Such as interoperability and integration, standards and regulations, vendor relationships and support, biomedical equipment technicians (BMET) training, asset management software and much more. By considering these factors, HTM professionals can contribute to the successful purchase, implementation and ongoing service of patient monitoring devices in health care facilities. Keeping up to date on technological advancements, regulatory changes and best practices in the field is essential for providing high-quality patient care while maintaining the efficiency and reliability of monitoring equipment.