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Set up Vital

Who does this: hospital administrator, medical superintendent or nursing in-charge Where: Doctor Work Bench › Masters › Vital

Each vital is one reading your doctors and nurses record for a patient, for example Temperature, Heart Rate or Weight. The list decides what can be recorded, in which unit, and which reading counts as normal. Vitals are then grouped on a vital sign chart in Vital Sign Chart Configuration. A set of common vitals is already in place.

The Vital list with parameter codes, names, types and status

Add a vital​

  1. Go to Doctor Work Bench › Masters › Vital.

  2. Click Add. The vital form opens. The empty vital form

  3. Pick the Parameter Type — the kind of value staff will enter. The Parameter Type list open, showing Numeric, Integer, Decimal, Text and more

  4. Fill in the other fields:

    FieldWhat to enterRequired
    Parameter CodeFilled in automatically when you save.—
    Parameter NameThe name of the reading, for example Pulse Rate.Yes
    Display TextThe short label staff see when they record it, for example Pulse.Yes
    Parameter TypeNumeric, Integer, Decimal, Text, Long Text, Formula, List of Values, Date or Calculated Date.Yes
    Applicable GenderMale, Female or Both.Yes
    Parameter ReferenceSingle for one normal range for everyone. Multiple to set normal ranges by age or gender (see step 5).Yes
    Minimum Value / Maximum ValueThe normal range, for a single range.No
    No. of DecimalsHow many decimal places to record.No
    Unit of MeasurementThe unit, for example °F or kg. Available for number types.No
    StatusLeave on Active.—
    Attach ScoreTick if the reading carries a score.No
    Default ValueA value filled in for staff in advance.No
    Applicable to ChartingTick to include the reading in charting.No
    Applicable to Medical AdministrationTick to include the reading when medicines are given.No

    The vital form filled in for a new reading

  5. If you chose Multiple, open Reference Range, tick Age Wise and/or Gender Wise, and click New for each band. Enter the age from and to, the minimum and maximum values and the unit. The Reference Range section with normal ranges for three age bands

  6. Click Save. You return to the list and the new vital appears in it.

Change or deactivate a vital​

  1. In the list, click the ⋮ button at the end of the row and choose Edit. The row menu with the Edit option
  2. Change the fields you need. To stop offering the vital, switch Status to Inactive.
  3. Click Save.

Vitals cannot be deleted from this screen. Make a vital Inactive instead.

Good to know​

  • For Calculated Date, the form asks for the date reading it is worked out from and the number of days to add — for example an expected delivery date worked out from the last menstrual period.
  • Use the filter and sort icons in the column headers to find a vital quickly.
  • Click Back to List or Cancel to leave the form without saving.
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