16Jun

Connex Spot Monitor: Revolutionizing Vital Signs Monitoring with Accuracy, Security and Connectivity

June 16, 2025 equimed 244

In today’s clinical environment, where efficiency, accuracy and data security have become fundamental pillars for providing quality medical care, having intelligent tools that adapt to the needs of medical staff is more essential than ever.

In this context, the Connex Spot Monitor is positioned as an advanced, comprehensive and highly adaptable solution for vital signs monitoring.

Este dispositivo ha sido diseñado para brindar una experiencia sin complicaciones tanto para el personal clínico como para los pacientes. Su enfoque gira en torno a tres ejes fundamentales: simplicidad en el uso, seguridad en el manejo de datos y una conectividad robusta con los sistemas de historia clínica electrónica (RME).

A Comprehensive Solution for Vital Signs Monitoring

The Connex Spot Monitor goes far beyond a conventional vital signs device. Its ability to capture a complete set of physiological data in less than a minute makes it a crucial tool for improving clinical productivity and patient outcomes. Thanks to its intuitive design and vivid touch screen, the device enables fast, accurate and user-friendly interaction, even in high-demand environments.

The data it captures includes:

Blood pressure
Heart rate
Respiratory frequency
Body temperature
SpO2 (oxygen saturation)
Height, weight and BMI
Early warning scores (EWS)

These parameters are essential not only for the initial assessment of the patient’s condition, but also for continuous monitoring to detect subtle changes that could indicate clinical deterioration.

Simplicity: User-Friendly Technology

One of the most outstanding features of the Connex Spot Monitor is its design focused on ease of use. The color touch interface allows healthcare professionals to navigate intuitive menus and record data in record time, without the need for lengthy technical training. This simplicity reduces the possibility of human error during the data collection process, resulting in more reliable care.

Vital data capture can be performed on an ad hoc or interval basis, adapting to different clinical scenarios such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, general rooms and outpatient clinics.

Real-Time Medical Accuracy

In time-critical clinical settings, accurate data is imperative. The Connex Spot incorporates SureBP technology® , which allows blood pressure to be measured in just 15 seconds, even when the patient is on the move, maintaining accuracy without compromising patient comfort.

Blood pressure averaging provides a more complete and reliable picture of the patient’s hemodynamic status, which is key to identifying cases of hypertension with greater certainty. This approach reduces false positives and improves the quality of clinical decisions.

The device also offers a choice of industry-leading thermometers, such as the SureTemp® Plus and the Braun ThermoScan® PRO 6000, providing flexibility and accuracy in temperature measurement.

For pulse oximetry, the Connex Spot offers compatibility with recognized brands such as Masimo®, Nellcor® and Nonin® , global leaders in SpO2 measurement. In addition, Masimo® RRp® technology allows respiratory rate to be measured directly from the oximeter signal, without the need for additional sensors, simplifying the process and reducing the risk of cross-infection.

Security: Military Level Data Protection

Protecting patient data is a critical concern in today’s digital world. The Connex Spot is equipped with advanced security features that meet the highest healthcare industry standards and are approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). These features include:

Data encryption
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Integration with authentication platforms such as Imprivata®
Secure authentication between devices and servers

These security measures ensure that patient data is protected against unauthorized access, while simplifying legitimate access by authorized personnel. This allows for a perfect balance between protection and operational efficiency.

Total Connectivity: From Patient to RME in Seconds

One of the greatest benefits of the Connex Spot Monitor is its ability to send collected data directly to the facility’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. Thanks to its multiple connectivity options-WiFi®, Ethernet, Bluetooth® or Bluetooth Low Energy-the device can be seamlessly integrated into the existing technology infrastructure.

This integration eliminates the need for manual transcription of data, reducing human error and improving the accuracy of clinical information. By avoiding duplication of tasks, healthcare professionals can devote more time to patient care.

Connectivity facilitates remote monitoring and real-time analysis by multidisciplinary teams, fostering faster and more informed decision making.

Workflow Customization and Adaptability

Every clinical environment is unique and has specific needs. The Connex Spot Monitor responds to this reality by offering a highly adaptable design, both in terms of hardware and software. Customizable options include:

Wall mounting or mobile support
Selection of thermometers and oximeters
Integration with medical scales such as Scale-Tronix®, Detecto®, Health o meter® and SECA®.
Modification of workflows to record additional observations and vital sign modifiers

This flexibility ensures that the monitor can be easily integrated into a variety of medical departments, from emergency rooms to outpatient clinics to long-term care facilities.

Early Detection of Patient Impairment

The incorporation of early warning scores (EWS) is one of the most innovative aspects of the Connex Spot. This functionality enables the identification of patterns that could indicate clinical deterioration before obvious signs become apparent. Using automated algorithms and predefined clinical rules, the monitor helps to prioritize care and trigger preventive interventions in a timely manner.

This not only improves clinical outcomes, but also reduces the number of complications, prolonged hospitalizations and costs associated with preventable adverse events.

An Ally in Improving the Quality of Care

The quality of care depends not only on the expertise of the medical team, but also on the tools at their disposal. Connex Spot represents a significant evolution in the way vital signs are managed, facilitating decision-making based on objective, real-time data.

Thanks to its multiple strengths – accuracy, connectivity, simplicity of use, personalization, security and adaptability – this device becomes a strategic ally for any medical institution seeking to improve its standards of care.

Connex Spot Monitor Benefits Summary

Feature	Benefit
Intuitive touch screen	User-friendly interface, ideal for clinical staff of all levels
BP measurement with SureBP®	Fast and accurate results even with patient movement
High precision oximetry	Compatible with Masimo®, Nellcor® and Nonin®.®
Reliable temperature capture	Choice between SureTemp® Plus and Braun ThermoScan®
Versatile connectivity	WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth standard and Low Energy
RME Integration	Elimination of transcription errors, data available instantly
Encryption and authentication	DoD-approved military-grade security
Modular and adaptable design	Customized assembly, compatible with multiple workflows
Early detection with EWS	Improved clinical intervention and risk reduction

Connex Spot, Beyond a Vital Signs Monitor

The Connex Spot Monitor is not simply a device for capturing vital signs; it is an intelligent platform that integrates seamlessly into the modern clinical ecosystem. It delivers the right data at the right time, strengthens the security of patient information and improves the efficiency of healthcare teams.

Whether in high complexity hospitals, private clinics or primary care centers, the Connex Spot is the ideal solution for those institutions looking for state-of-the-art technology with a patient-centered approach.

17Oct

The NEWS scale: what it is, how it works and its benefits

October 17, 2022 equimed 164

The NEWS scale measures the physiological parameters that classify the patient’s risk for adverse outcomes in the intrahospital setting.

Origin and meaning of the NEWS system

The taking of vital signs in patients and the use of scales for triage is a trend present in many health systems. This is a highly relevant activity because of the information it offers us about the hemodynamic status of the patient.

These scales have been especially valued in the United Kingdom, where numerous scales for the detection and assessment of acutely ill patients began to be created. First they were called EWS or “ Early Warning Scores ”, and when the process was standardized, in 2012 the Royal College of Physicians created a system called the National Early Warning Score ( NEWS ), led by the National Health System (NHS) and aimed at Adults over 16 years of age.

Its objective currently remains the same: to maintain periodic information on the patient ‘s physiological and mental state in order to detect in advance the risk of physiological deterioration. As? Standardizing the monitoring registration process and patient management to obtain an early , timeless and competent detection of the acute patient or in the process of deterioration.

News 2, the most up-to-date version

NEWS2 is the latest and most current version of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), first standardized in 2012 and updated to NEWS2 in December 2017. This new update was intended to

Specify how the NEWS can be used to detect patients with sepsis and high risk of clinically worsening.
Emphasize that a score of 5 or more is the threshold that should be used as a clinical alert.
Improve the recording of the use and the scores for the saturations of patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure.

For its part, NEWS2 is scheduled to be reviewed in 2023.

What does the News scale measure?

The NEWS is based on a simple aggregate scoring system in which physiological measurements, already recorded in routine practice, are assigned a score when patients present or are being monitored in hospital. Six physiological parameters form the basis of the scoring system:

Respiratory rate (RR)
Oxygen saturation (SpO2)
Temperature
Systolic blood pressure (SBP)
Heart rate (HR)
Conscience level

Each of these indicators has certain thresholds/parameters to which values from 0 to 3 are assigned depending on the variation of the values obtained and a sum of this aggregate is made to calculate the NEWS.

In this way, the NEWS is classified into different degrees of risk:

LOW RISK (score of 0-4)
MEDIUM-LOW RISK (score of 3 in some parameter)
MEDIUM RISK (score of 5-6)
HIGH RISK (score of 7 or more).

Depending on the rating, a degree of risk is assigned and, consequently, a monitoring frequency and a maximum time for a clinical response.

What does the result of the NEWS scale tell us?

Based on the scoring result, the report provides recommendations on the frequency of monitoring, the urgency of clinical review, and the competency requirements of the medical team necessary to carry out an immediate response and with specific interventions.

The result is also a very clear indicator of the importance of guaranteeing that immediate response teams are available 24/7/365, especially in hospitals that care for serious or critical patients, focusing on their decisive role in the first minutes of arrival of the patient in the emergency room.

Benefits of the NEWS scale

As we said, the fundamental objective of these NEWS scales was to facilitate the recognition and management of acutely ill patients who suffered a deterioration in their vital signs, since this is related to a better prognosis, lower costs , etc.

At the same time, it was created to identify, by means of an objective score, the so-called “early warning points” (EWS), that is, those manifestations based on clinical parameters in the patient that can be useful to help determine their state of severity, and the need to undergo immediate clinical interventions.

However, the creation of the NEWS as a standardized scale provides many other advantages:

Facilitate the movement of health personnel between different hospital centers.
Reduce errors.
At present, this scale has become a useful tool for the emergency physician since it has been established as a useful tool to carry out the initial triage.
Its simplicity, since it does not need laboratory tests or others that require a lot of time.
You only need the necessary instruments to calculate it -in addition to clinical judgment- such as a blood pressure monitor, thermometer, pulse oximeter and a stethoscope.
A great immediacy to assess the patient.
And thanks to this score , it is much easier to recognize those patients who are in a potential risk situation.
Prompt recognition makes the chances of treatment success much higher, and the chances of adverse events (cardiorespiratory arrest, admission to the ICU, death…) are lower.

Practical cases

The success of this scale has been demonstrated in numerous studies . Currently, there is evidence that this score should be used to assess exacerbations in acute patients, in prehospital evaluation (in emergency services), to monitor the clinical status of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, to warn of possible deterioration in hospitalized patients and in departments. There are also studies that have evaluated other scales such as the qSOFA scale, although this offers worse results.

At present and after its update to its second version, numerous publications worldwide and various clinical studies have advocated its use, especially focused on emergency services, finding, at the same time, clinical importance in relation to the prognosis of seriously ill patients. through its application from the prehospital setting.

In Spain, this study from the University of Córdoba stands out, on the validation of the “National Early Warning Score 2” (NEWS 2) scale adapted to the Spanish environment , for the early detection of patients at risk of deterioration in emergency services.

Their conclusion is very clear: the NEWS2 scale, after the translation and validation process into Spanish, has proven to be a valid scale for use in the triage consultation of hospital emergency services . In the study setting, the psychometric properties of the NEWS2 scale adapted to Spanish are adequate and have a high predictive capacity to detect adverse events and hospital admissions.

Therefore, the NEWS2 scale adapted to Spanish is presented as a useful triage support tool that can increase or improve the safety of patients in the emergency department and, consequently, the quality of care.

Conclusion

The EWS aims to provide a clinical response by alerting any abnormality in physiological parameters when they are considered to be outside the set range.

The NEWS scale is an effective system for the prevention of mortality, sepsis, hospital cardiac arrest, and a great help in making decisions about the patient’s needs.

In turn, it is a notable predictor in all settings, including primary, hospital, and pre-hospital care. Its impact on nursing is also very positive, since it allows an increase in the autonomous role with the support of this objective tool.

Therefore, with the NEWS system we achieve a globalized categorization in the monitoring of the aforementioned basic physiological parameters.

The best hospital equipment as accompaniment

To prolong the success of the NEWS scale and help in decision-making, it is necessary to have the best medical equipment , the most modern and advanced technology from the leading brands in the medical, clinical and surgical sector.

Connex^®Spot Monitor

Especially with regard to the monitoring of vital signs, at Equimed we bet on Connex Spot Monitor, a comprehensive monitoring system from basic capture of vital signs up to the early warning score and interval or continuous monitoring.

Connex^®Vital Signs Monitor

Or the Connex Vital Signs Monitor , a simple solution for continuous, interval and spot check monitoring, designed to make it easy to capture a patient’s vital signs.

If you want more information about monitoring systems, or request a personalized quote, do not hesitate to contact Equimed.

29Jul

Respiratory rate: what it is, how to control it and equipment to monitor it

July 29, 2022 equimed 197

Evaluating the respiratory rate is one of the main elements to control the health of patients in hospitals. For this, we need to have systems and monitors capable of monitoring what is one of the main vital signs, either manually or automatically.

What is respiratory rate?

Respiratory rate is the number of breaths, inspiration followed by expiration, that any person takes per minute. It is one of the main vital signs, along with blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. The respiratory rate changes depending on many factors of health and activity, and also differs in adults and children.

When a person inhales, oxygen enters their lungs and travels to their organs. As you exhale, carbon dioxide leaves the body. A normal respiratory rate plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.

Respiratory rate in adults

The normal respiratory rate for an adult person is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. At this respiratory rate, carbon dioxide leaves the lungs at the same rate that the body produces it. Respiratory rates lower than 12 or higher than 20 can mean an alteration of the normal respiratory processes, which we will talk about in this article later.

The respiratory rate during rest is about 15 inspirations (inhalations) and expirations (exhalations) per minute.

Generally, it is measured while at rest. It simply involves counting the number of breaths in one minute by counting the number of times the chest rises.

Of course, this respiratory rate is increased by exercising, having a fever, being sick, or having other medical conditions.

How is respiratory rate measured?

To take an accurate measurement, the easiest thing to do is to sit down and relax, preferably on the bed or on a chair. You can then measure your respiratory rate by counting the number of times your chest or abdomen rises in one minute. A full breath comprises an inhalation as the chest rises, followed by an exhalation as the chest falls.

Why is it so important to measure respiration?

Measuring the respiratory rate of a person at rest is essential to basically determine if it is within normal limits. Because a high or low respiratory rate can be a sign of an underlying problem.

Causes and problems in respiratory rate

If we talk about causes of high respiratory rate , doctors call tachypnea a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute.

The most common causes are:

Anxiety
Fever
respiratory conditions
COPD, asthma, or pneumonia
carbon monoxide poisoning
pleural effusions
pulmonary embolism
Heart problems
dehydration
Allergic reactions
Diabetic cetoacidosis

In the case of low respiratory rate, doctors call a respiratory rate less than 12 breaths per minute bradypnea. Among its causes are:

Airway obstructions and cardiac arrest
Drug overdose
Obstructive sleep apnea
Head injury

Thus, if anyone experiences abnormal breathing rate, they should contact their doctor, and especially seek immediate medical help if they notice abnormal breathing rate, chest pain, bluish skin, gurgling sounds during breathing, or if breathes very few times per minute.

Control respiratory rate in hospitals and health centers

Healthcare facilities have devices and machines, such as respirometers and vital signs monitors, that measure respiratory rate by assessing the ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide exchange.

In hospitals, the procedure of taking the respiratory rate is very common and frequent. The goal is usually:

Part of the routine taking of a patient’s vital signs and detecting changes in them.
Assess breathing before and after the administration of a medication.
Control patients with risks of respiratory alteration.
Detect changes in breathing to act accordingly and prevent further damage.
Usually, this is done only with a watch with a second hand and notepad to record said frequency. Another method is auscultation with a stethoscope, it is the recommended method in pediatrics.

In this case, we are talking about specific measurements, whether they are routine or not. But what happens when we need constant measurement of respiratory rate and other vital signs?

When a patient is admitted, either in the ICU, UVI, day ward, operating room, etc. Health professionals need to have devices that measure the patient’s respiratory rate 24/7. Whether it is for digital respiratory rate measurement in routine vital signs monitoring, or comprehensive monitoring —from basic vital signs capture to early warning scoring and interval monitoring.

EQUIMED equipment to measure and monitor respiratory rate

At Equimed, we have the best solutions for the automatic measurement of respiratory rate. By combining the Connex Control Monitor with Masimo RRp technology , digital respiratory rate measurement can be included in routine vital signs monitoring with the option of incorporating them into the early warning scale protocol.

Connex^® Spot Monitor

The Connex Spot Monitor is a comprehensive monitoring system, ranging from basic vital sign capture to early warning scoring and interval or continuous monitoring. It enables full vital signs in less than a minute, vivid, easy-to-use touchscreen, and is customizable to the user’s needs with an upgradable design and custom settings.

With this device, omissions and transcription errors are reduced with the automatic transfer of the vital signs of the patients, and it is designed by and for healthcare personnel in order to increase the efficiency and satisfaction of the users. In turn, the optional clinical login screen that allows you to restrict access and protect health information. And it has automatic deletion of patient data after sending it to the RME system.

Connex^® Vital Signs Monitor

For its part, Connex Vital Signs Monitor is a simple solution for continuous monitoring, by intervals and spot check, designed to facilitate the capture of the patient’s vital signs. This device allows you to wirelessly send vital signs from the patient’s bed to your EMR without intermediary steps.

If you want more information about monitoring equipment, or request a personalized quote, do not hesitate to contact Equimed.