Kilcoy Hospital’s world first trial to improve outcomes

Nurses at Kilcoy Hospital are trialling a new system to continuously monitor patient vital signs.

The wireless vital sign monitoring system (WVSM) means nurses are alert to early identification of deteriorating patients.

Kilcoy Hospital is the first in the world to implement the wireless system throughout the whole of hospital.

Metro North Value Based Healthcare project officer Adam Scott said the new system’s continuous monitoring means instead of checking vitals every four hours nurses can dedicate more time to caring for complex clinical activities while still receiving real-time updates of patients.

“This new innovative technology simplifies checking vital signs with increased accuracy so nurses now have more time to focus on delivering the very best healthcare,” Adam said.

“The system also provides peace of mind for both patients and nurses, early warning signs from deteriorating patients alerts nurses immediately allowing them to intervene the minute health begins to worsen.

“WVSM helps to decrease the length of stay for and is extremely useful for post-surgery patients, those moving from the Intensive Care Unit into a ward and even can help monitor patients who go home shortly after receiving chemotherapy.”

Kilcoy Hospital is the perfect facility to host the WVSM trial due to its size and regional location.

The whole-of-hospital trial is good news for regional and rural Queenslanders who will have growing access to top of the range equipment, improved healthcare and a better experience during their stay.

The WVSM measures heart rate, temperature, respiration rate and pulse oximetry, as well as regular blood pressure measurements of ward-based patients. Instead of nurses checking patients’ vital signs every four hours and interrupting their sleep, the WVSM constantly measures and displays vital signs without interrupting them during the night.

It can also help nurses detect signs of deterioration early on, so patients whose health might be failing can be attended to immediately.