Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Monitoring, Physiologic

Monitoring physiologic parameters in healthcare refers to the continuous or intermittent measurement of various physiological signs and symptoms of a patient, such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and body temperature. This information can provide insight into the patient’s overall health and can be used to detect changes in their condition, such as deterioration or improvement.

There are several ways to monitor physiologic parameters in healthcare, including:

Non-invasive monitoring: This type of monitoring involves the use of devices that do not require the insertion of any instruments into the patient’s body. Examples include blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, and thermometers.

Invasive monitoring: This type of monitoring involves the insertion of instruments or devices into the patient’s body. Examples include central venous catheters, arterial lines, and pulmonary artery catheters.

Continuous monitoring: This type of monitoring uses devices that continuously measure and record physiologic parameters over time. Examples include cardiac monitors, oxygen saturation monitors, and ventilator monitors.

Intermittent monitoring: This type of monitoring involves measuring physiologic parameters at specific intervals, such as every 4 hours. Examples include vital sign monitoring, urine output measurement.

The type of monitoring used will depend on the patient’s condition, the medical setting, and the goals of the healthcare provider. Proper monitoring allows healthcare provider to detect any changes and take appropriate actions in a timely manner, which may prevent adverse events and improve outcomes.