Manage Vitals

You can enter and track vital sign data in the Anesthetics/Vitals tab once you have selected a case and appointment.

Tip: If the tab does not display, right-click the appointment and select Enable Anesthetics/Vitals tab.

You can click the Toggle Text/Graphic View ( and ) icons to view entered vitals in text or graphic mode.

Note: If set to the same view (both text or both graphic), the vitals and anesthetics are time-synched.

This view displays vitals data as numbers in vertical columns.

Values in black text indicate that the entries are in a normal range, values in red text indicate that the value outside the normal range (or a significant change in values has occurred), and an asterisk (*) indicates the data has an artifact (a note about the data).

Tip: You can hover over a specific data point to see a tooltip with the actual value and any audit information (and any artifact information).

This view displays vitals data as data points on an X Y axis. Values on the Y axis are scaled from 0 at the bottom to 300 at the top. Values on the X axis are time increments of one minute.

It displays each stage of the surgery with a different colored background and each vital sign has a color and shape, as defined in the legend on the left side.

A black circle (Ο) indicates that an artifact has been entered, and a red circle (Ο) indicates that the value is outside the normal range or a significant change in values has occurred.

Tip: You can hover over a specific data point to see a tooltip with the actual value and audit information (and an artifact information).

Data points display as discrete by default, but can be configured to display as connected.

To manage vitals:

  1. Select a patient and open the EHR module > Case Management tab.
  2. Select a case and an appointment and click the Anesthetics/Vitals tab.
  3. Review the listed entries.

  4. To perform another task, complete any of the following:

    1. Click the Create a new Record () icon to display the Vitals window.

    2. Under Vitals, enter values in the Vitals fields as necessary.
    3. (Optional) If you have multiple sets of data to enter, select the Batch entry checkbox.

      4. Note: This checkbox keeps the Vitals window stays open after you click OK, and automatically increments the Time field by 5 minutes.

    4. Click OK.
    5. (Optional) If Batch entry is selected, continue entering values as necessary.

      6. In Text view, a new column(s) displays with the values inserted.

      In Graphic view, a new set(s) of dots displays.

    Artifacts are text entries in the vitals section attached to specific data points. The text, creation date, and time display when you hover over an artifact.

    Examples: Monitor cable disconnected, patient stopped breathing, or sensor fell off patient’s right hand.

    1. Right-click the vitals value and select Artifact... to display the Flag Artifact window.

    2. Enter all necessary details and click OK.

      3. In Text view, an asterisk (*) displays after the vitals value.

      In Graphic view, a black circle (Ο displays around the vitals value.

    After entering vital signs data, you can go back and edit, provided you do not require approval for entry.

    1. Complete any of the following:
      1. Right-click the vitals column and select Edit Vitals... to display the Vitals window.

      2. Make the necessary changes and click OK.

      1. Right-click the vitals column and select Artifact… to display the Flag Artifact window.
      2. Make the necessary changes and click OK.

        3. Tip: To remove the artifact, click Clear.

      In some cases, it is necessary to clear column data from the Anesthetics/Vitals tab.

      1. Select a cell, right-click and select Clear Column (Vitals).

        2. The column clears.

      In some cases, it is necessary to remove a column from the Anesthetics/Vitals tab.

      Note: Removed column data still displays in the Vitals History window.

      1. Select a cell, right-click and select Delete Column.

        2. The column clears.

        Important: This clears the associated anesthetics column as well.

    axiUm records all the vitals data entered during a surgery with full audit information. This includes any deleted anesthetic and vitals columns.

    1. In the vitals section, click the Show History () icon to display the Vitals History window.

    2. (Optional) To filter results to a specific surgical time, select the time from the For Surgery Time drop-down list.
    3. Select a listed entry to display its values in the upper vitals pane and review as necessary.