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Patient Monitors Today’s Advancements and Tomorrow’s Possibilities
Patient Monitors are a type of Medical Device that allow healthcare professionals to constantly monitor vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and temperature. They are essential in providing safe and effective care for patients, particularly those who are critically ill.
Patient Monitors are distinct from other types of Medical Equipment, such as imaging machines and surgical tools, which are used to diagnose or treat conditions. The primary purpose of Patient Monitors is to monitor a patient’s condition in real-time and provide feedback to the healthcare team so they can respond quickly and accurately if the patient’s health changes.
In terms of technology, Patient Monitors have come a long way. From basic single-parameter monitors to sophisticated multi-parameter systems with wireless capabilities, modern Patient Monitors allow clinicians to track a variety of vital signs simultaneously and remotely. This allows them to make more informed decisions about patient care and respond quickly to any changes in the patient’s condition.
Today, Patient Monitors are an essential part of the healthcare industry and a vital tool in providing high-quality care for patients. If you’re looking to invest in a reliable monitoring system for your facility, make sure you do your research to ensure you get the best product for your needs.
How Much Do Patient Monitors Cost?
A lot of factors influence the price of a Patient Monitor. Taking into consideration, the model type, features, software, specifications, connectivity, modules, configurations and need of the facility the monitors range from Rs.30,000 to nearly 10 Lacs. Monitors for general monitoring of basic vitals cost lesser while the monitors used in critical care like ICUs and operating rooms which need advanced features and multiple modules to detect a wide range of parameters are expensive. These are high-end versions and are priced at the costlier end of the spectrum.
What Are The Factors To Consider Before Purchasing Patient Monitors?
The patient monitors market is vast giving buyers a chance to choose the right ones for their healthcare setting. Malfunctioning or failure of equipment can impact the health of a patient; hence, it is very important to look for good quality and high-standard monitors which comply with the regulatory norms.
Need: Whether the requirement is for an all-in-one monitor or 7 parameters high-end monitor for operating rooms or just a vital monitor for clinics, the need is recognised based on the medical
facility and department that has put forth the requirement. Based on the need, patient monitors with the desired configurations can be chosen.- Size of the Facility: A large institution would need an integrated network of monitors whereas a few monitors that work independently are enough for a smaller practice. Recognising the available space in your facility will assist in selecting the appropriate monitor size which ranges from 7-15 inches.
- Budget: Few medical facilities have strict financial constraints and staying within a budget is an important factor while purchasing equipment. Good quality monitors are available for nearly every budget and having a specific range in mind helps in narrowing down the options.
- Brand: Research needs to be done based on the specifications and configuration requirements and depending on that, the brand can be chosen. With the rise in requirements, many domestic and global players are offering monitors with a wide range of features and price ranges. Few suppliers even offer refurbished monitors which have been upgraded and operate like the new ones. However, it is essential to research well and check all the documentation regarding testing, operation and regulatory standards to ensure they are safe and standardised.
- Support: Post-purchase support like training, warranty, periodical preventive maintenance, calibrations, and the feasibility of updating to newer software versions and technologies should also be considered before purchasing. This enables in upgrading the equipment during facility expansions in the future and saving costs.
Market Dynamics
With the rise in demand for patient monitors not just in medical facilities but even in the non-hospital setting, there is tremendous growth being witnessed in procuring them. From such a highly competitive market, it is ideal that we choose from the companies who not only provide us with the best equipment but also post-purchase support like calibration, preventive maintenance, replacing parts under warranty, upgrades and so on.
Prominent players and market leaders in the global market are:
A lot of Indian healthcare firms have also entered the market and come up with high-quality technologies that are matching the dynamic healthcare setting. A few of those include:
Whether the choice is of a local brand or an international brand, it is important to keep in mind that thorough research should be done before choosing the right monitor as system failures and poor monitoring can have an adverse effect on the patient’s health sometimes costing the life of the patient.
Government Support
The growth in the market is attributed to rising significantly in the next 5 years. The current medical equipment market in India has at least 70% of the equipment imported from other countries. With variations in import and export duties and huge charges being levied on the equipment, the financial burden of procuring is being charged to the common people. To reduce the dependence on imports, the Indian Government has come up with various schemes and policies to promote manufacturing within the country thereby encouraging the Make in India, Make for the World initiative. The latest schemes introduced are:
PLI is Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) to help manufacture medical equipment on large scales within the country.
Another initiative is the Promotion of Medical Devices Park Scheme. This scheme provides all the infrastructure and supporting facilities both for the Domestic manufacturers and Global leaders to assist in setting up their manufacturing units in our country.
An online portal SUGAM has been launched, which is a single window clearance system for applications and permissions. The government is also taking multiple measures in placing a price slab preventing the suppliers to impose heavy costs and is supporting MSMEs and Start-ups with various funding grants in order to promote and encourage the innovation ecosystem.
Future Of Patient Monitoring
Being a country with such a large population, sometimes there is a lot of delay in attending to patients, even those who need basic monitoring and reviewing. In such cases, Remote patient monitoring plays an important role. Devices with wireless data transmission, and equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) contribute to the patients being able to keep track of their vitals and monitor acute conditions on a regular basis. The clinician receives the real-time data for review and analysis. This is especially beneficial for the geriatric population, who can keep a track on their medical conditions by regularly monitoring vitals at home thereby reducing the burden of travelling to the hospital. One of the latest innovations is a Bluetooth integrated Blood Pressure monitoring cuff. The diagnosed data can then be sent to the clinician for reviewing.
During the Covid times, a healthcare firm Helyxon in collaboration with IIT-M’s Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) has come up with a wireless remote monitoring device OXY2. This can measure vital parameters like heart rate, pulse rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation. It is portable, affordable and has an in-built Bluetooth connectivity which enables to send data through a phone app.
Conclusion
With increase in awareness amongst people, the use of digital health technology is increasing day by day.
Patient Monitors Today’s Advancements and Tomorrow’s Possibilities . Remote monitoring is gradually becoming a part of everyone’s lifestyle, thanks to the entry of technological behemoths such as Apple and Google. Sedentary lifestyles and rising number of disorders are pushing people to adopt these technologies to regularly monitor themselves and achieve positive health outcomes.
FAQs
What are the benefits of using a Patient Monitor?
Patient Monitors provide healthcare professionals with real-time information about the patient's health, which can help ensure safe and effective care. They are especially helpful in providing timely feedback on the condition of a critically ill patient. Additionally, Patient Monitors can help to save lives by providing early warning signs of serious health problems.
What are the most basic functions of Patient Monitors?
Patient Monitors can provide real-time feedback on a patient’s condition, including vital signs, oxygen levels, and heart rates.
What is the difference between a Patient Monitor and a Medication Chart?
A Patient Monitor is an electronic device that captures and transmits live health data of patients in a health care facility. Medication Chart is a document that lists the dosages and time of administration of medications to a patient.
How do I know if a Patient Monitor is right for my facility?
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right Patient Monitor for your facility. Some of the things you'll want to consider are the model type, features, software, specifications, connectivity, modules, and configurations. You can also ask your healthcare provider or an industry expert for help in choosing the right monitor for your needs.
What are some common patient monitor needs?
There are many patient monitor needs, but commonly they include an all-in-one monitor for general use in hospitals and clinics, as well as 7 parameters high-end monitors for operating rooms.
What are the different brands of monitors available?
There are many different brands of monitors available, with each having its own set of features and benefits. It's important to research each brand before making a purchase, as some may be better suited for specific needs or preferences.
Some of the more well-known brands of monitors include Medela, Fisher-Price, and Graco. It's important to research each brand before making a purchase, as some may be better suited for specific needs or preferences.
What are the advantages of purchasing monitors from a specific brand?
Some brands are known for having high quality products and are known to be reliable. Furthermore, some brands are known to have specific features that make them more suited for certain applications.
What is the brand to choose?
It is essential to research well and check all the documentation regarding testing, operation and regulatory standards to ensure they are safe and standardised.
How do I ensure I'm getting a safe and standardised monitor?
There are a few things you can do to ensure you're getting a safe and standardised monitor. First, research the specifications and configuration requirements of the monitor you're considering. Second, make sure the supplier you're working with offers refurbished monitors that have been upgraded and operate like the new ones. Finally, always check the documentation and test the monitor before purchasing it to ensure it is safe and standardised.
What are the market dynamics affecting the purchase of patient monitors?
The rise in demand for patient monitors not just in medical facilities but even in the non-hospital setting is causing significant growth in the market.
What are some of the benefits of buying a patient monitor?
There are many benefits to purchasing a patient monitor, including increasing efficiency and monitoring activities, reducing costs, and improving patient care.
What are the advantages of choosing a market leader over a less-known player?
A market leader has more experience and is likely to have invested in better R&D. They also tend to have a wider distribution network and are likely to have better customer service.
What is the difference between Hill Rom and Philips?
Hill Rom is now part of Baxter, so their technology and support may be different. Philips is the world's largest medical technology company.
Why should I choose an Indian brand over an international brand?
System failures and poor monitoring can have an adverse effect on the patient’s health.
What are the consequences of using an international brand over a local brand or chinese brand ?
System failures and poor monitoring can have an adverse effect on the patient’s health sometimes costing the life of the patient.
