When facilities look to purchase new medical scales, some buyers may ask: “Does the product have connectivity?”

When a device has “connectivity” it means the product can send data to another device, such as a vital sign monitor or a PC. This connection to another device can work in variety of ways such as integration partnerships between device manufacturers or Bluetooth pairing. When data is sent from a device, a medical scale for example, to the secondary connected device, the information can then be saved into a patient’s electronic medical record. This direct transmission of patient measurements has several benefits in the healthcare environment.

With no handwritten data to transcribe, sending data electronically can eliminate manual errors such as inputting a decimal point in the wrong place or entering an incorrect digit in a weight measurement. Having a correct weight entered into a patient record is especially critical in areas of care where medication dosage relies on an accurate weight measurement. Direct data transmission also greatly improves efficiency. When data is sent automatically into a patient record this saves the caregiver valuable time by not having to manually enter the information. Automatic data entry can also standardize the way patient information is recorded.

For example, using a connected kilograms only scale means patient weights will only be transmitted and recorded in kg units. This is beneficial not only for standardized data but also for safety where weight-based dosing is being used. Healthcare facilities evaluate new equipment based on several features and connectivity is often an important attribute. How a new device will integrate into a facility’s workflow and system should also be considered.

Choosing a supplier that offers several options to meet the provider’s needs is ideal. Our selection of high quality Health o Meter Professional scales provides several connectivity solutions for transmitting weight, height, and BMI measurements to vital sign monitors, computers, and EMR systems. These solutions enhance healthcare facility workflow efficiency, patient safety, and provide a quick and simple method to record patient information.

Learn more about our many connectivity solutions by completing the RFQ form on our website.