Operation theatre monitor

Types of Operation Theatre Monitors

The operation theatre monitor is crucial in responding to the needs of the medical staff and the patient during surgery; it helps keep track of all vital parameters. Based on the applications of the monitors, severaltypes may be found:

• Central Station Monitors: The central monitoring system is a networking system of several separate monitoring devices connected to a computer system. It allows the easy and efficient monitoring of many patients simultaneously. Central station monitors offer operation theatre ECG monitors that can be integrated into its network to monitor the patient's cardiac activity, with alarms to alert medical staff if abnormalities are detected.
• Multipara Monitors: These monitors are portable and helpful in the early detection of any critical changes in a patient's condition. They can be kept in the operation theatre or transported when required. They provide real-time monitoring of numerous critical indicators, such as body temperature, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, and ECG, among others.
• Digital Monitors: Digital monitors have a microcontroller that receives the detected signals and converts them into digital form. They are precise, easy to read, and offer results quickly. Digital monitors are found everywhere in clinics, operation theatres, and many other healthcare facilities.
• LCD Monitors: LCD operation theatre monitors are more improved and provide higher-quality and clearer images than the older conventional monitors. They have a flat panel and a thin screen that is easily portable. The defect rate of the LCD screen is significantly lower; hence, it offers a better display.
• DICOM Monitors: These monitors follow the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine(DICOM) standard for medical imaging. They are helpful in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of various medical conditions. DICOM monitors offer clear images that are accurate and enhance the productivity of the healthcare staff.

Functions & Features

The operational theater monitors have numerous functions and features that vary according to model type and manufacturer. Nevertheless, they have key features that are instrumental in the smooth operations of a medical facility. They include the following;

• Multi-Parameter Monitoring

  An operation theater monitors' primary function is to keep track of several vital signs simultaneously. The monitors have various sensors that can monitor and track parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation levels, among others. Most of the monitors have a multi-lead ECG capability, which helps in the assessment of the patient's cardiovascular condition. In addition to this, many parameter monitoring detects possible medical anomalies to ensure the patient's health status is normal throughout the procedure.

• Wireless Connectivity

  The latest models of operation theater monitors have wireless connectivity features. The feature allows the medical personnel to gather information from the patients and share it with other devices. These can include laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other medical equipment. The wireless connection enhances easy access to information and collaborative decision-making during emergencies.

• Bedside & Central Monitoring Station

  Operation theater monitors have both bedside and central monitoring stations. The bedside monitors are placed near the patient's operating table to enable medical personnel to keep track of the vital signs of the patients undergoing surgery. On the other hand, the central monitoring station gathers data from several operation theater monitors. It displays the information in one location so that the medical personnel can make earlier decisions.

• Alarm System

  The monitoring system has an alarm system with distinct audible and visible warnings to alert medical personnel to take necessary actions. The alarm system helps detect any irregularities in the vital signs of the patients which help reduce the chances of complications or deaths.

• Printout & Documentation

  Most operation theater monitors have a documentation system that helps record the vital signs of the patient before, during, and after the operation. The system enables medical practitioners to track the patient's progress over time. In addition to this, there is a printer feature that provides printouts for further analysis and reference.

Scenarios of operation theatre monitor

Operation theatre monitors have many uses in various industries beyond the typical monitoring of patients undergoing surgical procedures. Theatres don't operate only on human patients. Veterinary operation theatre monitors are used to track and monitor diverse animal species during surgical procedures, from large animals like horses to household pets. The parameters to be monitored will be adapted to the animal's size and species. For example, a large dog and a mouse will have different size monitoring equipment.

The veterinary monitor can be equipped with specialized sensors to monitor such animals's heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen levels during surgery. The equipment can also keep track of the animal's body temperature, blood pressure, and fluid levels. Surgeons and medical personnel will be able to ensure the safe and successful completion of the surgical procedure by closely monitoring the animal's vital signs.

The usage of operation theatre monitors to track and monitor patients undergoing procedures in hospitals and medical facilities is by far the largest market for these types of equipment. They serve as a vital indicator of a patient's condition and are used to diagnose and track patients in critical condition.

The application of operation theatre monitors can be divided into two main categories, namely, emergency and non-emergency applications.

• Emergency Applications: Theatres will use operation theatre monitors for emergency applications like resuscitation, trauma care, and cardiac care. Whenever a patient has an emergency, the monitor will alert the medical team attending the patient so they can take immediate action. The procedure will be recorded, and data will be available for further assessment and analysis.
• Non-emergency Applications: Non-emergency applications include outpatient treatment, routine check-ups, and long-term monitoring of critical patients. Monitors can provide a detailed picture of a patient's overall health and record their vital signs over an extended period. They can help with early diagnosis when vital signs are not normal.

How to Choose Operation Theatre Monitor

When purchasing an operation theatre monitor for sale, buyers should select one that meets the needs of their theatre by taking into account the following important aspects.

• Ambient Light: In many instances, the brightness of an operation theatre monitor is measured by its ability to show images clearly in bright circumstances, such as an operating room. This is because, during surgery, there is a lot of ambient light.
• Resolution: The info presented in the monitor could affect decisions about patients' safety and the quality of patient care in the perioperative environment. Therefore, choosing a suitable resolution and pixel arrangement is significant. Additionally, the monitor's resolution is vital for determining the quality of images it can exhibit.
• Display Technologies: The critical factors to consider when buying circle monitors are LCD/LED technology, the high dynamic range, and the potential for incorporating other display types like 3D/VR.
• Screen Size: The screen size and the image made by the monitor can influence the visual impression and perceptual cognitive load on the observer. Therefore, the screen size of an operation monitor should be adaptable so that it can be made larger or smaller based on the actual needs of the operation.
• Connectivity: The significance of intervention theatre monitors in displaying perioperative variables like multimedia elements and real-time dynamic changes makes it necessary for the monitors to possess various communication options. This aids in the efficient data transfer between the monitors, other medical devices, and the central monitoring system.
• Mounting Options: A comfortable and adaptable mounting choice for circle monitors is one that permits tuning of the tilt, rotation, and height of the monitor, as well as moving or fixing the monitor according to the demands and situation of the surgery.
• Durability: It is essential for the circle monitor to have a strong design that is resistant to impact and drop since the operating room has a highly busy environment, and there is a chance that the circle monitor will be accidentally dropped or bumped.
• Temperature Range: A more excellent temperature resistance ability could mean more excellent resistance to delay and adaptability to the operating room environment.
• Water and Dust Resistant: An operation theatre monitor should also have a water-and dust-resistant construction model in addition to temperature resistance. This characteristic is essential for meeting the demands of the operating room.

Operation theatre monitor Q&A

Q1. How important is display resolution in an operation theater monitor?

A1. Display resolution is very crucial in an operation theater monitor. The detailed and high-quality display helps in accurate assessments and not for the critical data but for the anatomical structures in the surgery.

Q2. Can an operation theater monitor be connected to multiple cameras simultaneously?

A2. Yes, many monitors have composite video outputs, which allow them to display images from different cameras simultaneously.

Q3. What are the key parameters to consider when choosing a monitor for the operation theatre?

A3. The key parameters include the size of the monitor, resolution, whether it’s flat or not, brightness, and contrast.

Q4. What is the role of infection control in choosing operation theater monitors?

A4. The Infections control helps in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. So, sterilizable components, such as removable cables, can be used to reduce the risk of contamination.