Patient monitoring techniques

Abstract

Abstract Patient monitoring is now an accepted standard in medical care to ensure that a patient s condition can be evaluated over time and any deterioration identified quickly, enabling appropriate care to be instituted. This article reviews the basic components of any monitoring device, and its importance in relation to improving patient safety. Issues related to increasing complexity of monitoring devices are also discussed. Basic monitoring modalities are described including pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, electrocardiography, temperature\xa0and capnography. Advanced cardiovascular monitoring is also discussed including invasive pressure monitoring, and invasive and non-invasive cardiac output monitoring devices. Neurological monitoring systems which evaluate intracranial pressure, cerebral blood flow and brain electrical activity in the critical care and perioperative environment are also described in relation to acute brain injury. Point-of-care testing (PoCT) modalities are reviewed as all monitoring devices can be regarded as forms of PoCT devices. Common features of PoCT devices together with advantages and disadvantages of PoCT are defined. A range of PoCT devices are discussed.