Monitoring & Diagnostics

A multi-parameter patient monitor simultaneously displays several vital signs from a single device. Standard parameters typically include:

ECG and heart rate: continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring via chest electrodes.

SpO2 (pulse oximetry): non-invasive measurement of peripheral oxygen saturation via a finger or ear probe.

NIBP (non-invasive blood pressure): automated oscillometric blood pressure measurement via an arm cuff.

Respiratory rate: derived from chest impedance via ECG leads or from capnography.

Temperature: core or peripheral temperature via a probe.

Higher-specification monitors may additionally measure EtCO2 (end-tidal carbon dioxide) via capnography, invasive blood pressure, cardiac output, BIS (bispectral index) and other parameters depending on the clinical application. Contact our team to discuss the appropriate specification for your setting.

Bedside monitors are larger, mains-powered units designed for fixed use at a patient's bed in ward, HDU, ICU or theatre settings. They typically have larger screens, more parameter options, extended data storage and the ability to network with central monitoring stations.

Portable monitors are battery-powered, lightweight units designed for use during patient transport, in community settings, GP practices, clinics or where a patient needs monitoring away from a fixed bedside. They prioritise compact size and battery runtime over the extended parameter range of bedside units.

Spot-check monitors are a subset of portable devices designed for periodic vital sign assessment rather than continuous monitoring. They are commonly used in GP surgeries, outpatient clinics, care homes and occupational health settings.

Key considerations when selecting a 12-lead ECG machine include:

Interpretation software: many ECG machines include automated analysis algorithms that provide a preliminary interpretation. The quality and clinical validation of these algorithms varies significantly between manufacturers. Some NHS and clinical settings require machines with specific approved algorithms.

Connectivity: modern ECG machines can transmit recordings wirelessly to electronic patient records (EPR), cardiology reporting systems or remote cardiologists via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular. Consider whether integration with your existing clinical IT infrastructure is required.

Print or paperless: some machines print ECG traces directly via a built-in printer. Others are entirely paperless, storing and transmitting digital recordings only.

Portability: handheld and tablet-based ECG recorders are available for use in community, domiciliary and pre-hospital settings where a full 12-lead machine is impractical.

Contact our team to discuss the most appropriate ECG solution for your clinical environment and workflow.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) refers to the use of compact, portable ultrasound devices at the patient's bedside or in the field to guide immediate clinical decision-making, rather than sending the patient to a radiology department for a formal scan.

POCUS is now widely used across emergency medicine, critical care, anaesthetics, primary care and community settings for applications including:

Vascular access: real-time guidance for central and peripheral line insertion.

Cardiac assessment: rapid evaluation of cardiac function, pericardial effusion and volume status.

Lung assessment: identification of pneumothorax, pleural effusion and pulmonary oedema.

Abdominal assessment: detection of free fluid, aortic aneurysm and biliary pathology.

Musculoskeletal: assessment of tendons, muscles and joints in sports medicine and rheumatology.

POCUS devices range from pocket-sized probes that connect to a smartphone to full portable cart-based systems. The appropriate device depends on the intended clinical application and operator training level.

The level of training required depends on the intended application. In the UK, competency frameworks for POCUS are provided by several royal colleges and professional bodies including the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), the Intensive Care Society (ICS) and the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS).

For focused clinical applications such as vascular access guidance or basic cardiac assessment, a structured training course of one to two days combined with supervised practice is typically sufficient to achieve initial competency.

For more advanced diagnostic applications, formal accreditation through a recognised body such as BMUS or a royal college programme is required.

We recommend that all POCUS devices are used only by clinicians who have completed appropriate training and are working within their verified scope of competence. Using ultrasound without adequate training can lead to missed or incorrect diagnoses.

A bladder scanner is a portable, non-invasive ultrasound device that measures the volume of urine retained in the bladder without the need for catheterisation. It is used to assess post-void residual (PVR) urine volume — the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after the patient has attempted to void.

The device uses a handheld ultrasound transducer placed on the lower abdomen. It automatically calculates bladder volume using three-dimensional ultrasound imaging and displays the result in millilitres within seconds.

Bladder scanners are used across urology, continence care, neurology, elderly care, nursing homes and general ward nursing to identify urinary retention, guide catheterisation decisions and monitor bladder function during post-operative recovery.

Their use significantly reduces unnecessary catheterisations and the associated risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).

All clinical monitoring equipment should be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's service schedule and the MHRA Device Bulletin DB2006(05) guidance on managing medical devices in clinical settings.

Daily checks: visual inspection for damage, verification of alarm settings and confirmation that all leads, probes and accessories are present and functional.

Periodic calibration: NIBP modules require periodic calibration verification. SpO2 sensors and ECG leads should be checked for signal integrity and replaced when worn. Most manufacturers specify calibration intervals in the device's service manual.

Annual planned preventive maintenance (PPM): a full service by a qualified biomedical engineer is recommended annually, including electrical safety testing, software updates and functional verification of all monitoring parameters.

Service records must be maintained for all clinical devices as part of your organisation's medical device management framework. Contact our team to discuss service and PPM arrangements.

Yes. Selfimed UK supplies GP practices, primary care networks, private clinics, occupational health services, care homes and independent hospitals, in addition to NHS Trusts. We can process orders by purchase order and provide full documentation including VAT invoices, UKCA/CE declarations of conformity and IFUs.

For GP practices and primary care settings, we supply a range of consultation room equipment including ECG machines, spot-check monitors, pulse oximeters, spirometers and bladder scanners. We can advise on appropriate specifications for your patient population and clinical workflow.

Contact our team for a quotation or to discuss your equipment requirements.

Individual patients with a qualifying chronic illness or disability purchasing eligible medical devices for personal or domestic use may claim VAT Relief under Group 12 of Schedule 8 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994. Tick the declaration at checkout to apply the 20% reduction.

NHS Trusts and certain other public bodies may be eligible for VAT exemption or zero-rating on clinical equipment purchases under separate provisions. Registered charities may also qualify in certain circumstances.

For institutional orders, please contact our team before purchasing to confirm the applicable VAT treatment and to receive a formal quotation with the correct VAT status applied.