The types of monitors used in critical care units vary depending on the unit, the unit’s type, the patient’s demands, and other factors including cost and manufacturer preference. At the very least, the patient will have a bedside monitor. Which can track heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and arterial line, pulmonary artery catheter waveforms, among other things. Other bedside monitors could include ones that track brain waves and temperature. In addition ones that track heat, nutrition, and a range of other things that are unit-specific.

Before we discuss the different types of patient monitoring systems, it will be useful to define what a patient monitoring system is. Any set of technology and/or methods used by healthcare providers to monitor key biological signs is referred to as a patient monitoring system.

Though there are many types of patient monitoring systems (e.g., wireless, portable, real-time, continuous, etc.) they are typically sorted into two broad categories: bedside patient monitoring systems and remote patient monitoring systems.

  • Bedside Patient Monitoring Systems-The systems used to monitor patients within the walls of a hospital or doctor’s office are known as bedside patient monitoring systems (also known as “hospital patient monitoring systems”). The conventional bedside patient monitoring system consists of a collection of cords, sensors, and screens that surround a patient’s bed at a hospital. These kinds of monitors allow for continuous monitoring of a patient and the medical staff is continuously updated and informed of any changes in the stats.  It also consists of communication links for displaying or recording the results. Sensors usually include biosensors and mechanical sensors. Translating components are responsible for converting the signals from the sensors to some format that can be displayed on the external display or recording device.
  • Remote Patient Monitoring Systems-Unlike bedside patient monitoring systems, remote patient monitoring systems (also known as “home patient monitoring systems”) are used to keep track of patients who are not in the hospital.

What is Multipara Monitor?

Multi-parameter patient monitors (MPMs) have become more vital in providing patients with high-quality healthcare. The existence of an intrinsic association between distinct vital indicators in a healthy person is well acknowledged in the medical profession. In intensive care units (ICUs) and general wards, multi-parameter patient monitors (MPMs) are commonly used to continuously monitor patients’ health based on the following human vital parameters: heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation (SPO2). They are most widely used as bed side monitors.

Basically there are three main types of multipara monitors-

1). 3 Para Patient Monitor– These multiparameter patient monitoring system shows Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) ,SPo2, Temperature three basic parameters.

2). 5 Para Patient Monitor– 5 parameter patient monitor shows ECG, NIBP, SPO2, respiratory rate and temperature parameters.

3). 7 para patient monitor– These multipara  monitor display ECG, NIBP, SPO2, Respiratory rate, temperature, End-tidal CO2 and Invasive Blood Pressure

There are two specific fields of application in which multi-parameter monitors can be used worth noting:

A). Fetal and maternal monitors: Fetal and maternal monitors are used to monitor a pregnant woman’s and her foetus vital signs. These devices keep track of uterine and foetal activity, as well as the foetal heart rate. Temperature, oxygen saturation, ECG, and non-invasive blood pressure measurement are among the sophisticated maternal monitoring functions. With a color screen and a secondary screen, they provide broad visualization, especially during labor. A post-partum mode is available on several monitors.

B). Monitoring during anesthesia: These monitors are compatible with an anesthetic gas analyzer for monitoring during anesthesia. They provide information on the gases injected during a surgery in addition to vital signs.

How Sensors Work?

The monitor receives data from little sensors attached to your body. Some sensors are attached to your skin with patches, while others are fastened to one of your fingers.

Your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature are displayed on the most basic devices. Advanced models can also show how much oxygen your blood carries or how quickly you breathe. Some can even display the amount of pressure on your head or the amount of carbon dioxide you’re exhaling. If any of your vital indicators fall below safe levels, the monitor will produce particular sounds.

What the Values Mean?

  • 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: The average body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, although it can range from just under 98 to just over 99 degrees Fahrenheit without causing concern.
  • Respiration: A resting adult typically breathes 12 to 16 times a minute.
  • Oxygen saturation: On a scale of one to one hundred, oxygen saturation measures how much oxygen is in your blood. The score should be 95 or higher, and anything less than 90 indicates that your body is not getting enough oxygen.

The Most Frequently Monitored Parameters

  • Cardiac monitoring – This generally includes continuous electrocardiography. The patient’s condition is assessed relative to their cardiac rhythm.
  • Hemodynamic monitoring – The blood pressure and blood flow inside the circulatory system are monitored in this type of monitoring.
  • Respiratory monitoring – Pulse oximetry includes the measurement of the saturation percentage of oxygen in the blood. Respiratory monitoring can also be used to measure CO2 levels. Aside from that, the AWRR (Airway Respiratory Rate) can be tracked.
  • Neurological monitoring– It includes intracranial pressure monitoring and brain EEG monitoring, among other things.
  • Blood glucose monitoring is another important metric to keep track of in patients.
  • In some situations, it’s necessary to keep track of your body temperature.

Monitoring crucial factors involves ensuring that the majority of the above-mentioned metrics are within acceptable ranges; anything outside of that would require medical treatment, sometimes even immediate attention.

What multi-parameter monitor alternatives are available?

In addition to the monitor configuration, it is helpful to consider the following options:

  • Wireless data transmission: the absence of connection cables can be an asset in the hospital environment, particularly for ambulatory monitoring. It limits the risks of infection, disconnection incidents, etc. However, the security of the computer network and the data transmitted can be an issue. Such systems can be hacked, which can lead not only to the hacking of the device but also to the hacking of the entire hospital server. In recent years, “ransomware,” cyber attack software that sends ransom requests to unlock affected computers, has increased in number. Refusal can lead to the theft of a multitude of patient records.
  • Interoperability of measured data: When data is collected from many monitoring modules, the system must be able to integrate, identify, and handle all of them.
  • Integrated defibrillator: This is extremely useful for quick intervention in the event of a cardiac arrest. In the emergency room, monitors with built-in defibrillators are employed.
  • Touch screen: this has become almost indispensable in the use of monitoring systems.
  • Power supply: There are models that run on batteries. They’re mostly utilized in the field (for example, in emergency medical) or as a backup in the event of a power outage.

6 Best multipara monitor models in India 2021: Detailed

Top Pick
Multipara monitor

BPL Ultima Prime Multipara Monitor

  • 12.1-inch High resolution display – optional Touch screen.
  • Standard Configuration – ECG, RESP, SPO2 (Masimo / Nellcor / Digital), NIBP, TEMP.
  • Optional Parameters – Dual IBP, ETCO2, AGM, ICG, Thermal Recorder.
  • Optional Connectivity –  BPL Medius+ Central Nursing Station, HL7 output, VGA for external display.
  • The device calculates drug dose & OXY-CRG feature.
  • Efficient memory storage; option of dual Battery.

12″ Monitor delivers a flexible, efficient monitoring solution in Mid Acuity. Monitor offers advanced parameter options to meet specific requirement such as IBP, CO2, Gas Monitoring & ICG.

Top Pick

Contec CMS8000 Multipara Patient Monitor

  • 12′ color TFT LCD with high-resolution
  • Applicable for adult, pediatric and neonatal for all-around monitoring.
  • 7-lead ECG displays in a screen and ECG waveforms series display
  • Storage of 480-hour trend data, and review of the 40-second holographic waveform
  • The function of NIBP review, storage for up to 400 NIBP data

The monitor has very useful features that can be used for ICU clinical monitoring with adult, pediatric and neonate Patients .  Users may select different parameter configuration according to different requirements.

Top Pick

Philips MX430 Intellivue Patient Multipara Monitor

  • High resolution TFT 12.1″ touchscreen intuitive operations
  • 3/5L ECG & ST/AR algorithm with ST analysis, optional conventional 12L ECG
  • Built-in Li-Ion battery with running time of up to 3 hours when fully charged
  • Graphical and tabular trends for monitoring 48 hour patient data

MX430 Philips Intellivue Patient Monitor comes with advanced Clinical Solutions to summarize and visualize data. Moreover Ambient light adjustment is there for readability in virtually any environment.

Top Pick

Technocare 9009B Multipara Cardiac Monitor

  • 12.1′ TFT color LCD, multi-language interface
  • Waveform, parameter color, and location can be set optionally.
  • Maximum 8-channel waveform synchronous display.
  • Display 7-lead ECG waveform on one screen.
  • AC/DC, built-in rechargeable lithium battery achieve uninterrupted monitoring.
  • Anti-high frequency surgical unit, defibrillation-proof(special leads are necessary).

It integrates parameter measurement module, display and recorder in one device to form compact and portable equipment. Its replaceable internal battery brings a lot of convenient for patient moving. 

Top Pick

Schiller Truscope Mini Multipara cardiac patient monitor

  • 8” high-resolution color TFT LCD touchscreen display
  • Compact & Portable with concealed handles
  • ST analysis, Arrhythmia analysis
  • Mains and battery operated with backup of 6 hrs.
  • Wired connectivity to Central Nursing Station
  • Monitored parameters: 3/5 lead ECG, RR, NIBP, SpO2 , TEMP
  • Digital SpO2 for better indication of perfusion

The Schiller Truscope Mini features a bright 8″ TFT high-resolution color display. It can perform standard patient monitor parameters such as 3/5 lead ECG, respiratory Rate, NIBP, SpO2, Temperature, and has a number of other features, including a 240-hour trend review, patient ECG monitoring, Digital SPO2, rechargeable batteries and backup of 6 hrs.

Top Pick
Comen STAR8000E Cardiac patient monitor

Comen STAR 8000E Multipara Cardiac patient monitor

  • 3/5/12-lead ECG measurement technology with automatic lead recognition
  • ECG waveform cascade monitoring with long term focus on the same lead waveform
  • The initial inflation pressure can be selected to improve measurement accuracy and patient comfort.
  • Supports End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide (ETC02)

For general departments, the functions of anesthetic gas, depth of anesthesia, cardiac output, EEG, and muscle relaxation are redundant, and the STAR8000 series retains only the basic six-parameter monitoring function which optimizes the performance of the instrument, reduces costs, and meets basic monitoring needs.

Best multipara monitor brands in India

  • Philips
  • British Physical Laboratories (BPL)
  • Contec Medical Systems
  • Shenzhen Comen Medical Instruments Co. Ltd.
  • Schiller

Precautions to take when installing and using a multi-parameter monitor

Before installing a multi-parameter monitor, make sure the electrical network meets safety requirements.

Avoid placing a monitor in close proximity to magnetic fields, such as in an MRI room. It’s also crucial to avoid bending or pulling the ECG cables as much as possible, and to make sure no liquid enters the device while cleaning.

The device’s operation necessitates sufficient training, which should ideally be provided by the manufacturer. It normally happens after the device has been commissioned. If the nurse operating the equipment has been taught by a doctor, he or she can assess the ECG waveform in general, but a competent doctor must undertake the more extensive analysis.

Conclusion

The multiparameter monitors are designed to give number of information on one screen and hence provides multiple information that is needed to understand the patient condition. It has emerged as a monitor to offer flexible solution for varying critical care need. They provide a comprehensive understanding of patient by giving a broader monitoring scope. These monitors provide reading such as heart rate, central venous pressure, non-invasive blood pressure, ECG, SpO2, PaCO2 and invasive blood pressure and temperature. The monitor has alarm where the parameters can be set and the care giver will be alerted for change beyond the set parameter.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)

Q1. What is principle and purpose of multi parameter monitor?

The multiparameter monitors are designed to give number of information on one screen and hence provides multiple information that is needed to understand the patient condition.

Q2. What are the parameters of patient monitor?

Monitor must be able to monitor ECG, Respiration, SpO2, NIBP and Temperature as a standard parameter.

Q3. What does NIBP stand for?

Non-invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) recording for cardiovascular research gives you the ability to capture continuous blood pressure data over long sampling periods easily, and with increased comfort for your subject.

Q4. What are the 5 parameters of patient monitor?

Monitor must be able to monitor ECG, Respiration, SpO2, NIBP and Temperature as a standard parameter.

Q5. What is the best cheapest multipara monitor in INDIA ?

Best cheapest multipara monitor in INDIA in December, 2021:-

Contec CMS8000 Patient Monitor₹33,500.00
Medsun MD9009B, Vital Signs Monitor, 12 inch Cardiac Patient Monitor, Five para Patient monitor₹34,500.00
Medsun M8A ICU patient monitoring system, 8 inch Cardiac Monitor₹35,000.00

Q6. What are the different parameters of cardiac monitor?

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.