Stepping Hill Hospital - Vital Signs Monitors x2

The Vital Signs monitor is a single, portable unit which measures heart rate, oxygen levels, respiration, temperature and blood pressure. It is designed for use with sick children or babies, and allows staff to effectively monitor their condition with the minimum of intrusion. It is used at the bedside but is also suitable for use when transporting a child within the hospital, such as to X-ray or Theatre, and when transfer to another hospital is required.

The Tree House Unit treats children from 0 to 16, with over 6,000 children admitted each year. At present four different pieces of equipment are used to provide the same information this new monitor would display. This can be very intimidating for a child, and there are problems with staff training and maintenance, as well as accuracy.

To replace the different machines with one comprehensive unit with a clear display screen would free up staff time and thereby improve the levels of care offered to very sick children. It would allow for continuous monitoring when children need to be moved. Most importantly it would be more child-friendly, by taking all readings in one simple way, rather than having a frightened child hooked up to four different pieces of equipment.

Each monitor will cost £2,798. The unit requires two of these monitors, with a total cost of £5,596. All ongoing staffing, maintenance and training will be provided by the NHS Trust.