Nurses' experiences of recording vital signs electronically: a pilot study
- Watson, David
- Carberry, Martin
- McHenry, Donna
Abstract
Clinical observations are a key component of patient safety and essential for the early recognition of patient deterioration. The National Early Warning Score is used to identify, escalate and respond to deterioration. Electronic observation systems can play a vital role in ensuring both accuracy and compliance, and one study trialled a system called Patientrack on four pilot wards. Staff found the system easy to use and it increased compliance and accuracy; however, it required significant infrastructure and IT support to ensure successful implementation.
This article has been double-blind peer reviewed
In this article…
How patients' National Early Warning Score is calculated and recorded
Details of a study that trialled an electronic system to record patients' vital signs
Results for patients and staff, and recommendations for rolling out the system
Key points
The National Early Warning Score is calculated from baseline vital signs and used to improve the detection of patient deterioration
A study into Patientrack, an electronic system that records patients' vital signs, found it increased accuracy and compliance, and staff considered it easy to use
Clinical skills and experience should be used in conjunction with electronic scoring systems
Project support and IT support are essential to ensure electronic systems can be implemented and their use can be sustained