Simple steps to streamline Vitals capturing

It is no news that the implementation of an EHR does add more workflow for everyone in the organization initially.  And as we continue to identify new ways to streamline the workflows in the clinical department, it is has to ignore how some simple tasks do require time that may not be necessary.

Currently, almost every medical organization gathers vitals at almost every date of service. And now with meaningful use requiring clinical staff to track patient vitals electronically, some  are considering ways of how to use digital vitals capture systems, and do away with a nurse having to manually enter the data into the chart or on paper.  Even though it may not be lots of data to enter, it is easy to see how such devices can speed up the data capturing process.  Several products are available in the market place from vendors like MidMark and Welch Allyn that provide wireless/wired medical devices that can interface with some of the commonly used EHR products in the market.  This simple integration can reduce the time to capture vitals that is commonly associated with the need for clinical staff to read thermometers, blood pressure gauges and other commonly used equipment.

For larger organizations, some of these devices are a must, especially for patients where the readings on blood pressure, pulse rate and body temperature must be done more frequently.

In addition, with the rise of chronic disease, aging population that requires in some cases close monitoring to ensure immediate medical intervention telehealth has a great opportunity to improve health of many patients.

We will continue to see more adoption of these devices, interoperability is still one of the biggest challenges that vendors will face.  There have been several alliances amongst manufactures and health organizations that are working toward create standardization and ensure interoperability.