Medical equipment: How to Read a Vital Signs Monitor

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 18, 2023

Electronic vital sign monitors have been common in hospitals for more than 40 years. On TV or in movies, they start making noises, and doctors and nurses come running, yelling things like “stat!” or “we are losing it!”

If you or a loved one is in the hospital, you might find yourself paying closer attention to it, wondering what the numbers and beeps mean.

Though there are many different makes and models of vital signs monitors, most generally work the same way

These are medical devices used by medical professionals for measurement, recording of vital parameters such as Pulse Rate, Heart’s Rhythm and Electrical Activity, Oxygen Saturation, Blood Pressure (invasive and non-invasive), Body Temperature, Respiratory Rate etc. for continuous monitoring of the patient’s health.

The vital signs monitors are usually denoted as

PR: Pulse Rate
SPO2: Oxygen Saturation
ECG: Heart’s Rhythm and Electrical Activity
NIBP: Non-Invasive Blood Pressure
IBP: Invasive Blood Pressure
TEMP: Body Temperature
RESP: Respiratory Rate
ETCO2: End Tidal Carbon Dioxide

There are two kinds of patient monitoring system depending on the application:

Bedside Patient Monitoring

These are used primarily in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and ambulances.

Remote Patient Monitoring

These are used in the patient’s home or residence, primary healthcare centres.

What are the Types of Patient Vital Signs Monitors?

3 Parameter Patient Monitor

The vital parameters measured are PR, SPO2 and NIBP

5 Parameter Patient Monitor

The vital parameters measured are PR, SPO2, ECG,NIBP and TEMP

Multi Parameter Patient Monitor

The vital parameters measured are based on the application and requirement and of the medical professional using it.

The parameters that can be measured are PR, SPO2, ECG,NIBP, 2-TEMP, RESP, IBP, ETCO2.

Vital Signs Monitors: How They Work

Small sensors attached to your body carry information to the monitor.

Some sensors are patches that stick to your skin, while others may be clipped on one of your fingers.

The devices have changed a lot since the first electronic heart monitor was invented in 1949.

Many today have touch-screen technology and get information wirelessly.

The most basic monitors show your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

More advanced models also show how much oxygen your blood is carrying or how fast you’re breathing.

Some can even show how much pressure is on your brain or how much carbon dioxide you’re breathing out.

The monitor will make certain sounds if any of your vital signs fall below safe levels.

What the Numbers Mean

Heart rate: The hearts of healthy adults typically beat 60 to 100 times a minute. People who are more active can have slower heart rates.

Blood pressure: This is a measure of the force on your arteries when your heart is beating (known as systolic pressure) and when it’s at rest (diastolic pressure). The first number (systolic) should be between 100 and 130, and the second number (diastolic) should be between 60 and 80.

Temperature: Normal body temperature is usually thought to be 98.6 F, but it actually can be anywhere from just under 98 degrees F to a little over 99 without concern.

Respiration: A resting adult typically breathes 12 to 16 times a minute.

Oxygen saturation: This number measures how much oxygen is in your blood, on a scale up to 100. The number is normally 95 or higher, and anything below 90 means your body may not be getting enough oxygen.