Evaluation of physiologic monitors in cardiothoracic surgery

Physiologic monitoring has been accomplished in the Mayo Clinic´s cardiothoracic operating suite by a system that was developed early in the 1980´s. By 1991 it became apparent that the system had reached the end of it´s useful life and needed replacement. A complex and interdisciplinary evaluation was carried out to determine which monitor would replace the current system. Criteria included technologic features, display technology, ease of use, and upgradeability.