Process Evaluation of a Wireless Wearable Continuous Vital Signs Monitoring Intervention in 2 General Hospital Wards: Mixed Methods Study

Wearable wireless continuous vital signs monitoring on the general ward

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Wearable wireless sensors for continuous vital signs monitoring (CVSM) offer the potential for early identification of patient deterioration, especially in low-intensity care settings like general wards. This study aims to review advances in wearable CVSM - with a focus on the general ward - highlighting the technological characteristics of CVSM systems, user perspectives and impact on patient outcomes by exploring recent evidence.

RECENT FINDINGS

The accuracy of wearable sensors measuring vital signs exhibits variability, especially notable in ambulatory patients within hospital settings, and standard validation protocols are lacking. Usability of CMVS systems is critical for nurses and patients, highlighting the need for easy-to-use wearable sensors, and expansion of the number of measured vital signs. Current software systems lack integration with hospital IT infrastructures and workflow automation. Imperative enhancements involve nurse-friendly, less intrusive alarm strategies, and advanced decision support systems. Despite observed reductions in ICU admissions and Rapid Response Team calls, the impact on patient outcomes lacks robust statistical significance.

SUMMARY

Widespread implementation of CVSM systems on the general ward and potentially outside the hospital seems inevitable. Despite the theoretical benefits of CVSM systems in improving clinical outcomes, and supporting nursing care by optimizing clinical workflow efficiency, the demonstrated effects in clinical practice are mixed. This review highlights the existing challenges related to data quality, usability, implementation, integration, interpretation, and user perspectives, as well as the need for robust evidence to support their impact on patient outcomes, workflow and cost-effectiveness.

Impact of wearable wireless continuous vital sign monitoring in abdominal surgical patients: before-after study

BACKGROUND

Technological advances have enabled continuous monitoring of vital signs (CMVS) by wearable, wireless devices on general hospital wards to facilitate early detection of clinical deterioration, which could potentially improve clinical outcomes. However, evidence on the impact of these CMVS systems on patient outcomes is limited. This research aimed to explore the effect of CMVS on the clinical outcomes in major abdominal surgery patients in a general surgery ward.

METHODS

A single-centre before-after study was conducted from October 2019 to June 2022. Patients in the intervention group received CMVS in addition to conventional intermittent vital sign monitoring (standard care for control group). With CMVS, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured every 5 min by a patch sensor. Proactive vital signs trends assessments and, when necessary, subsequent nursing activities were performed every nursing shift. The primary outcome of interest was the length of hospital stay (LOS); also, 12 patient-related outcomes were analysed. In the CMVS group, follow-up nursing activities of deviating vital signs trends were described and patient acceptability was measured. Post-hoc subgroup analysis was performed for colorectal and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 908 patients were included (colorectal: n = 650; hepatopancreatobiliary: n = 257). Overall, median LOS was lower in the CMVS group (5.0 versus 5.5 days; P = 0.012), respectively. Post-hoc subgroup analysis showed this reduction in LOS was mostly observed in the colorectal group and not in the hepatopancreatobiliary group. Apart from a decrease in nurse-to-house-officer calls (from 15.3% to 7.7%; P = 0.007), all secondary clinical outcomes were similar in CMVS and control groups. However, a non-significant trend towards less-severe complications and reduced ICU LOS was observed in the CMVS group. In CMVS patients, 109 additional nursing activities were performed and 83% of patients indicated CMVS was acceptable.

CONCLUSION

CMVS was associated with a significant reduction in LOS, while other clinical outcomes were unchanged. CMVS triggered additional nursing activities such as extra patient assessments and therapeutic interventions.

Implementing Wearable Sensors for Clinical Application at a Surgical Ward: Points to Consider before Starting

Incorporating technology into healthcare processes is necessary to ensure the availability of high-quality care in the future. Wearable sensors are an example of such technology that could decrease workload, enable early detection of patient deterioration, and support clinical decision making by healthcare professionals. These sensors unlock continuous monitoring of vital signs, such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood oxygen saturation, temperature, and physical activity. However, broad and successful application of wearable sensors on the surgical ward is currently lacking. This may be related to the complexity, especially when it comes to replacing manual measurements by healthcare professionals. This report provides practical guidance to support peers before starting with the clinical application of wearable sensors in the surgical ward. For this purpose, the Non-Adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework of technology adoption and innovations in healthcare organizations is used, combining existing literature and our own experience in this field over the past years. Specifically, the relevant topics are discussed per domain, and key lessons are subsequently summarized.

Remote Home Monitoring of Continuous Vital Sign Measurements by Wearables in Patients Discharged After Colorectal Surgery: Observational Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Hospital stays after colorectal surgery are increasingly being reduced by enhanced recovery and early discharge protocols. As a result, postoperative complications may frequently manifest after discharge in the home setting, potentially leading to emergency room presentations and readmissions. Virtual care interventions after hospital discharge may capture clinical deterioration at an early stage and hold promise for the prevention of readmissions and overall better outcomes. Recent technological advances have enabled continuous vital sign monitoring by wearable wireless sensor devices. However, the potential of these devices for virtual care interventions for patients discharged after colorectal surgery is currently unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the feasibility of a virtual care intervention consisting of continuous vital sign monitoring with wearable wireless sensors and teleconsultations for patients discharged after colorectal surgery.

METHODS

In a single-center observational cohort study, patients were monitored at home for 5 consecutive days after discharge. Daily vital sign trend assessments and telephone consultations were performed by a remote patient-monitoring department. Intervention performance was evaluated by analyzing vital sign trend assessments and telephone consultation reports. Outcomes were categorized as "no concern," "slight concern," or "serious concern." Serious concern prompted contact with the surgeon on call. In addition, the quality of the vital sign data was determined, and the patient experience was evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 21 patients who participated in this study, 104 of 105 (99%) measurements of vital sign trends were successful. Of these 104 vital sign trend assessments, 68% (n=71) did not raise any concern, 16% (n=17) were unable to be assessed because of data loss, and none led to contacting the surgeon. Of 62 of 63 (98%) successfully performed telephone consultations, 53 (86%) did not raise any concerns and only 1 resulted in contacting the surgeon. A 68% agreement was found between vital sign trend assessments and telephone consultations. Overall completeness of the 2347 hours of vital sign trend data was 46.3% (range 5%-100%). Patient satisfaction score was 8 (IQR 7-9) of 10.

CONCLUSIONS

A home monitoring intervention of patients discharged after colorectal surgery was found to be feasible, given its high performance and high patient acceptability. However, the intervention design needs further optimization before the true value of remote monitoring for early discharge protocols, prevention of readmissions, and overall patient outcomes can be adequately determined.