There are many options in the market, so choosing the right one for you can be quite a challenge. Common sense indicates that it is wise to choose a monitor with specific functions for the need of the practice, but the decision is not that simple.
That´s why have prepared a practical miniguide to help you find the patient monitor that best suits your needs. Here are the answers to 5 common questions.
How to choose the right patient monitor
How to choose the right patient monitor
1. The right patient monitor depends on my medical facility?
1. The right patient monitor depends on my medical facility?
Yes, each place has very specific needs.
An urgent care center requires medical monitoring equipment that can detect emerging conditions. A wellness center usually serves patients with less acute condition, so it needs a device with all the basic functions like temperature, NIBP, EKG and SPO2.
It may be a little different in the case of surgical centers that perform cosmetic, dental or plastic surgery, as well as in gastroenterology. Since they require sedation, they must obtain a device that monitors all vital parameters during anesthesia.
In other words, a monitor used in an operating room may require a greater number of functions, such as anesthetic gas analysis and end-tidal CO2 measurement and monitoring, as well as EKG, SPO2, and NIBP.
An additional healthcare setting that has special patient monitor requirements are imaging centers. For those facilities the patient monitor has to be compatible to an MRI environment.
And do not forget to consider the available space to decide the correct monitor size or to go for a model that can be easily transported at your convenience. Also keep in mind if you offer home care, because in that case you´ll need to consider not only size, but also weight.
2. Do I need to buy new monitors if my necessities change?
2. Do I need to buy new monitors if my necessities change?
Of course not! There are devices with advanced technology that allow to add functionalities as required at an extra cost that is smaller than getting a new one.
An installation of multiple procedure rooms may require an integrated network of monitors; therefore, it requires a solution that is scalable and allows future connection to a central monitoring system.
A smaller practice, though, may be better served by a few independently operating monitors offering the same quality of vital sign taking during the medical procedure.
3. Do I need to spend a lot of money to get a good device?
3. Do I need to spend a lot of money to get a good device?
Buying medical equipment is not an expense, it is an investment that is part of an intelligent strategy to improve outcomes and workflow. But we cannot overlook that nowadays we are more restrained by short budgets than ever, and that proper selection of a patient monitor goes way far beyond the price.
Cheap costs dearly, that why it is wise to stretch money to get long lasting and high quality devices that solve one´s needs and guarantees great performance in the long run.
4. Should I consider patient volume?
4. Should I consider patient volume?
Definitely! It is important to keep in mind how many patients you attend daily so you can get a monitor that works as fast and efficiently as needed. If you manage a high volume it is advisable to buy an easy to use, pre-configurable and intuitive interface monitor for short learning curve.
5. Aren´t advanced monitors complicated to use?
5. Aren´t advanced monitors complicated to use?
It is just the other way round! Advanced technology monitors have intuitive and friendly interfaces that make them surprisingly easy to use. Modern devices guide users in such a clear way that even the most reluctant learners will use them like a pro in no time.
Besides, advanced monitors simplify the work because they take care of tasks that otherwise should be made manually. Your staff will thank to have a tool that facilitates the change-of-shift and helps them go home faster
Buying the most convenient patient monitor is a decision that benefits the hospital or clinic, the staff and the patient. The hospital or clinic get a tool that is profitable in the long run. The staff can make their job as well as better and get accurate monitoring during patient’s procedures. Finally, patients get proper care. Everybody wins!
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