Wireless Vital Signs Monitor Improves Patient Safety

A new clinical patient monitor automates collection of vital signs, sharing the data automatically with hospital and physician electronic medical record (EMR) systems.

The Connex Spot Monitor is a full-color, touch screen device that provides comprehensive and accurate documentation by combining vital signs parameter technologies with flexibility of use spanning neonatal through adult patients. Pulse rate and blood pressure measurements utilize 15-second SureBP blood pressure averaging technology, providing accurate BP estimates even while the cuff is inflating. This allows the meter to refrain from inflating the cuff to excessive suprasystolic pressures in many patients, leading to a more comfortable experience and fast measurement times.

Pulse oximetry is used to assess respiratory conditions via professional-grade options available from Masimo, Nonin Medical, and Covidien, and accurate thermometry is delivered with SureTemp Plus technology. The Connex Spot Monitor connects to any PC or tablet device via a wireless connectivity protocol designed specifically for the primary care workflow, transferring vitals directly into the patient’s EMR chart without the need to physically connect any cables. Information can also be as displayed on a central nursing station.

In addition to advanced EMR connectivity for physicians, the device also helps track and detect early signs of patient deterioration in hospital settings using the built-in Connex Scoring App, which uses a point-of-care calculator structured around the hospital’s own Early Warning Score (EWS) protocols to determine the likelihood of adverse events. An automated, color-coded scoring result is displayed on the device, along with facility-determined intervention instructions to help make informed patient care decisions quickly. The Connex Spot Monitor is a product of Welch Allyn (Skaneateles Falls, NY, USA).

““Every day physicians and nurses face new and difficult challenges, but these should not include inaccuracy of patient data, a lack of access to that data, or low efficiency with collecting vitals. The Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor is designed to bring modern information technology to bear on routine vitals collection and management,” said Garrison Gomez, senior director of vital signs and cardiology at Welch Allyn. “Designed by clinicians for clinicians, the device converges all aspects of vital signs measurement into one system, including patient data capture and now wireless transfer to an EMR.”

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