The National University Hospital in Singapore has started using smartwatches to continuously monitor inpatients' vital signs after a pilot found the device capable of detecting changes up to two hours earlier than routine manual observations.
The month-long pilot, which ended in June, involved post-operative patients in a short-stay surgical ward.
The pilot used a commercially available smartwatch approved by the Health Sciences Authority to continuously monitor blood pressure, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation.
The device transmitted physiological data to a smartphone application used by the nursing team. Nurses reviewed the data during their hourly or four-hourly scheduled bedside observations.
Abnormal findings were identified up to two hours earlier than they were during routine nursing observations, prompting clinical escalation protocols and timely reviews. No critical clinical events were missed.
Patients reportedly experienced fewer disruptions, particularly during overnight stays.
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