The role of clinical engineering in the redesign of existing hospital patient monitoring systems.
Clinical engineering can have a key role in the redesign of existing hospital patient monitoring systems. This paper presents a systematic approach to the process of reinstrumenting highly specialized cardiovascular operating suites. A detailed definition of system requirements is presented for both basic and specialized instrument sets. Configuration flexibility was given the utmost attention. The method presented here suggests that system requirements should reflect information gathered from direct interviews of both the clinical and support personnel. Consideration is given to all applicable codes, standards, and practices. Special attention must also be focused on proper and efficient interfacing of the components of the new system to all components of the existing system. The project described here was conducted within and supported by the University of Alabama Hospital of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.