Electronic vital sign monitors have been common in hospitals for more than 40 years. If you or a loved one is in the hospital, you may find yourself paying more attention to it, wondering what the numbers and beeps mean. Although patient Vital Signs Monitors come in many different brands and models, for the most part they all work the same way.If you want to learn more about Patient Vital Signs Monitor, please click here or contact us!

How does the patient vital signs monitor work?

Small sensors attached to your body transmit information to the monitor. Some sensors are patches attached to your skin, while others may be clipped to one of your fingers. These devices have changed a lot since the invention of the first electronic heart monitor in 1949. Today, many devices use touch screen technology and access information wirelessly.

The most basic monitor shows your heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. More advanced models also show how much oxygen your blood is carrying or how fast you are breathing. Some can even show how stressed your brain is or how much carbon dioxide you’re breathing out. If any of your vital signs fall below safe levels, the monitor will make certain sounds.

What do numbers mean？

Heart rate: The heart of a healthy adult typically beats 60 to 100 times per minute. People who are more active may have slower heart rates.

Blood pressure: This is a measure of the force on the arteries when the heart beats (called systolic blood pressure) and is still (diastolic blood pressure). The first number (systolic) should be between 100 and 130, and the second number (diastolic) between 60 and 80.

Temperature: Normal body temperature is often thought of as 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but in reality it can range from just under 98 degrees to just over 99 degrees.

Breathing: Resting adults typically take 12 to 16 breaths per minute.

Oxygen saturation: This number measures the amount of oxygen in your blood, up to 100. The number is usually 95 or higher, and anything below 90 means your body may not be getting enough oxygen.

When should I worry?

If one of your vital signs rises or falls above a healthy level, the monitor will warn you. This usually involves beeping and flashing colors. Many people highlight reading problems in one way or another.

If one or more vital signs rise or fall sharply, the alarm may become larger, faster or its pitch change. This is to let the caregiver know to check on you, so an alert may also be displayed on a monitor in another room. Nurses are usually the first to respond, but an alarm warning of a life-threatening problem can cause several people to rush to help.

But one of the most common reasons an alarm goes off is when the sensor doesn’t pick up any information. This can happen if you come loose or don’t work the way you should when you move.

If the alarm goes off and no one comes to check, contact the nurse using the call system.