European Market Report for Multi-Parameter Vital Signs Monitoring 2016

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Nearly all patients within critical care units, operating theaters, recovery and step downwards are monitored by multi-parameter devices. Since almost all patients within these medical departments undergo acute procedures, it is vital that their physiological states are monitored. Moreover, multi-parameter monitoring devices are used in hospital neonatal and pediatric units as well as alternate care facilities.

Monitoring enables clinicians and other healthcare professionals to respond quickly, efficiently and accurately to changes in a patient's vital signs and other bodily processes in order to prevent future complications or even death.

In less critical areas, multi-parameter devices are becoming increasingly used for improving the accuracy of a medical professional's judgment and for helping anticipate the patient's changing condition. Multi-parameter devices are becoming more commonly found in emergency rooms (ER) and general ward areas.

A multi-parameter device's functions range from 2 to 12 parameters depending on device acuity level. Low-acuity devices are generally able to monitor one to five parameters and high-acuity devices are able to monitor six to 12 parameters. In general, hard-wired multi-parameter monitoring devices can either be configured or modular. Low-acuity devices are generally configured, as they are designed to monitor specific parameters and are less flexible than modular devices. Modular devices may have a configured component built-in upon purchase, and SpO2 units from Masimo or Nellcor (Medtronic) were the most popular.

However, the dominant characteristic of these devices is their set of interchangeable ports that allow parameter modules to be plugged in and incorporated into the monitoring process. Patient-worn telemetry devices, which are also referred to as ambulatory telemetry devices, have traditionally been used for monitoring one or two parameters. However, recent advancements have enabled these devices to monitor, on average, three to four parameters. A typical device would exhibit a combination of all or some of the parameters listed below. Additionally, other options included in the table below are features that are often available but are not the main function of the device.

The average lifespan of a multi-parameter monitoring device is nine years; however, software updates may occur more frequently depending on the rate of technological advancement. Monitors are known to be used for as long as fifteen years, when there is no budget for capital equipment.