Vital signs in hospital patients: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
This review was initiated to identify the best available evidence on vital sign measurements in hospital patients.


METHODS
Inclusion Criteria--Studies that evaluated some aspect of vital signs. Search--Covered all major databases and the references of identified studies. Data Analysis--Because of the nature of identified studies, data were summarised using narrative rather than statistical methods.


RESULTS
A total of 737 papers of which 69 met the inclusion criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
This review has highlighted a need for further investigation of issues related to the role, nature and optimal practice of monitoring patient vital signs.
Evans
D
D
The Joanna Briggs Institute, Margaret Graham Building, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia. d.evans@adelaid.edu.au
Hodgkinson
B
B
Berry
J
J
D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D006339:Heart Rate; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D011674:Pulse; D012119:Respiration; D013696:Temperature