Vital signs devices help early detection and response to patient deterioration in general care
Research suggests that the signs and symptoms of clinical deterioration can be detected as early as six to eight hours before an event or arrest. However, physiological signs and symptoms of clinical deterioration can be difficult to detect in early stages. The use of early warning scores—especially automated scores, as opposed to manual calculations—has been shown to improve effectiveness. Welch Allyn Connex vital signs devices can help hospitals combine vital signs measurement with the collection of additional patient observational information—all in a single workflow. Vital signs and additional collected information are automatically calculated to generate an overall patient score—directly on the device at the bedside. Clinicians are prompted with messages providing specific response actions based on the patient score and the facility’s protocols. Complete information can then be sent directly to the patient’s record in the EMR. The use of automated early warning scores, such as those featured in Welch Allyn Connex vital signs devices, can help provide the timely decision support clinicians need to respond to patient changes right at the bedside.
