Banner Health Care Policies for Vital Signs

Banner Health is a large non-profit heath care provider with locations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. They are recognized as a leader in patient safety in their 23 hospitals and medical facilities. In keeping with this focus, Banner Health has created policies regarding vital signs which include recommended standards and methods of evaluation. The policies include an explanation of patient condition classifications based on vital sign measurements. Banner Health's website provides a comprehensive dictionary of medical terms, including information on testing, evaluation, measurement and understanding vital sign measurements.

Body Temperature

• Banner Health standards explain that body temperature can be evaluated orally, rectally, axillary, by ear and by skin on the forehead. Fever is indicated when temperature exceeds 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit orally, and 99.8 degrees Fahrenheit rectally. Banner Health recommends destroying any glass mercury thermometers because mercury is a toxic substance and can be released in the event of accidental damage to the glass thermometer.

Pulse Rate

• Pulse rate measures the patient's heart beats per minute, heart rhythm and pulse strength. Expected pulse rates are between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Banner Health recommends checking a pulse rate by firmly pressing on the arteries close to the skin at the wrist, elbow or lower neck. Health care professionals use their first and second fingertips and count the pulse for 60 seconds, focusing carefully on heart beats for accurate measurement.

Respiration Rate

• Respiration rate involves counting the number of breaths taken per minute by watching the chest rise. Rates should be evaluated when a person is fully at rest, and these rates may be elevated if there is fever, illness or other health conditions. Normal respiration ranges from 15 to 20 breaths per minute.

Blood Pressure

• According to Banner Health, blood pressure is comprised of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic is the higher number and diastolic is the lower number. High blood pressure can cause a heart attack, stroke or other health problems, and should be monitored by a nurse or doctor. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends a healthy blood pressure reading of less than 120 systolic pressure and less than 80 diastolic pressure. Home blood pressure monitoring is conducted with an aneroid monitor or a digital monitor, and multiple readings outside recommended ranges should be discussed with a health care professional.

Classifications

• Any abnormal vital signs should be carefully evaluated by a qualified health care professional. Banner Health classifies vital signs as good, fair, serious and critical based on the patient's actual indicators. Good and fair classifications indicate that the patient's vital signs are good and the patient is conscious, although he may be uncomfortable. A serious indicator describes a patient with unstable vital signs and acute illness. If the patient is unconscious and vital signs are unstable, Banner Health policies categorize the patient as critical.