Wearable wireless continuous vital signs monitoring on the general ward: a technological innovation in nursing

Abstract

Patients on general wards are at risk of complications, often associated with deviations in vital signs. Unfortunately, the currently used manual method of intermittently measuring vital signs is not optimal, potentially leading to late recognition and treatment of complications, and sometimes with serious consequences such as intensive care admissions and even death. A possible solution may be wearable, wireless sensors that can continuously monitor vital signs (CMVS), but large-scale evaluation and successful implementation have not yet been described. This thesis aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the essential elements of CMVS, the crucial aspects of the implementation process, and the potential benefits of such systems for patient care, all with an emphasis on the nurse's perspective, as a prelude to further development and future implementations. The findings highlight the complexity of implementing CMVS on general wards and underline the need for further development and studies to assess actual clinical value and cost-effectiveness. Due to the current early stage of technology development, implementation remains a serious challenge. Nurses have an essential role in the successful deployment of CMVF on regular wards and are key to their success. Wearable continuous vital signs monitoring technology is expected to mature further in the coming years, enabling continuous monitoring of all relevant vital signs, enabling software to integrate seamlessly with hospital IT systems and providing personalised clinical decision support. If properly implemented, such evolving systems promise to significantly improve the future quality, safety and efficiency of patient care, both inside and also outside the hospital.