Health devices
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Physiologic monitoring systems, which monitor vital physiologic parameters so that clinicians can be informed of changes in a patient's condition, typically consist of several distinct components, including a central station, bedside monitors, and ambulatory telemetry transmitters and receivers. For this study, rather than focusing on how each component performs individually, we evaluated how the entire system functions as a whole to better parallel the acquisition practices followed by most hospitals. ⋯ We rated the evaluated systems based on their capabilities for each of six applications: critical care unit, emergency department, intermediate care unit and general medical/surgical floor, operating room, postanesthesia care unit, and transport. We found that many of the systems are suitable for some applications, but are unable to meet the requirements for others.
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Intensive care ventilators are used to provide ventilatory support for patients who cannot breathe on their own or who require assistance to maintain adequate ventilation. Patients ventilated by these devices can range in age from neonates to adults and can vary in condition from very critical, unstable patients to relatively stable postoperative patients. While intensive care ventilators are typically used in critical care areas of the hospital, they may be used in other care areas as well. ⋯ We also considered ease of use, quality of construction, and reliability. For several of the evaluated units, we identified significant safety shortcomings that prevented us from rating the units Acceptable. In each of the two categories, we rated one unit Conditionally Acceptable and one unit Conditionally Acceptable--Not Recommended.