Vital signs are the first set of essential information medical personnel take upon when you visit the hospital for treatment or are in an accident scene. Vital signs are also routinely checked on a patient’s admission to monitor their progress or regress, as the case may be.

There are several vital signs, and some medical equipment is required to evaluate them. Here is the medical equipment necessary for checking the basic vital signs of a patient:

1. Thermometer

Temperature is one of the vital signs used to measure how well the body can create and let out heat. A thermometer is used in the hospital to measure body temperature. There are a few different types of thermometers.

• Digital Thermometer

This is a modern approach to thermometers. It works by using heat sensors and infrared sensors. Depending on the type, it can take temperature measurements from the forehead, mouth, armpit, rectum, and ear canal. It has several varieties.

• Mercury Thermometer

The mercury thermometer can take readings from the mouth, the rectum, and under the armpit. This is one of the oldest types of thermometers. It is also known as the liquid in a glass thermometer.

This type of thermometer is no longer in use because of the hazard it poses to the users and the environment too.

2. Sphygmomanometer

A sphygmomanometer is also known as a blood pressure cuff. It is used in the measurement of blood pressure which is essential. There are two major types of blood pressure cuff based on their mode of operation.

• Manual

The manual sphygmomanometer requires the use of a stethoscope. Professionals mainly use it.

• Digital

This type of sphygmomanometer is more technologically advanced, unlike the manual class. It is perfect for home use because it does not necessarily require expertise or professional experience.

3. Stethoscope

A stethoscope is a medical equipment used to listen to a person’s heartbeat, also known as pulse rate. Heart rate is measured by the number of times a heart beats per minute.

A stethoscope can also listen to sounds from other body parts such as the lungs and bowel.

4. Stopwatch

A stopwatch is vital in a medical setting for various reasons but importantly for calculating a person’s respiratory rate. Respiratory rate is the number of times you breathe in 60 seconds. It is used alongside the stethoscope to check pulse rate too.

5. Weighing Scale

As the name indicates, it is used to measure body weight. The measurement is taken by standing on it and reading the figures. It is essential to know the weight and height to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI)

6. Stadiometer

This is the instrument used to measure height in the hospital. It is a long ruler with an adjustable long piece that rests on the head to take the measurement accurately.

The listed list is essential because the equipment help provide critical information, speed up diagnosis, and keep track of one’s health.