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Monitoring the monitors
- Vinod Kumar Sanem Ramulu (11 July 2006)
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Vinod Kumar Sanem Ramulu, SHO Anaesthetics Colchester General Hospital
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Editor – I read with interest the editorial by J P Thompson and R P Mahajan on monitoring the monitors. They have correctly emphasised the importance of monitors which have evolved over the years and can keep ‘eternal vigilance’ over the patient which is not possible by a human being. But, these monitors always need a human being to analyse what they are saying. Unfortunately, we can not completely rely on monitors to treat our patients, as we all are aware of their limitations. Some times using common sense becomes more important in treating patients when monitors are saying something different. I have worked in India as an anaesthetist before coming to UK. To have all the monitors which are considered essential before anaesthetising a patient in UK are more than a luxury in India. I remember anaesthetising patients for major procedures in India with no basic monitoring. The only monitor we always had were our fingers on the pulse of the patient which actually used to work wonders. Even now when I am working with full monitoring on the patient, when I feel, I am lost between the monitors; my fingers slowly slips on to the pulse of the patient which gives me enormous confidence. Monitors have changed our lives and have become more and more safe for the patient, as we always have an alert anaesthetist to monitor the patient and monitors, I only can wish every patient in this world is anaesthetised with basic monitoring on, which is still a luxury in most parts of the world. Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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