Ask ECRI: Obtaining Vital Signs in Physician Offices

A member recently asked for general guidelines on obtaining vital signs in physician offices. The authors of a systematic review of evidence on vital sign assessment confirmed the value of the four traditional vital signs: pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate. The reviewers searched for evidence regarding other potential vital signs but found that in addition to these four only pulse oximetry and smoking status affect patient care and outcomes. The review was specific to the hospital population, rather than physician offices, but encompassed neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.

The authors of a StatPearls article on vital sign assessment reached similar conclusions regarding the value of assessing...