Wireless Connection Between Welch Allyn Connex Vital Signs Monitors and seca 360° Scales and Measuring Devices Helps Reduce Errors and Improve Workflow

Welch Allyn, a leading medical diagnostic device company that delivers pragmatic innovation at the point of care, today announced it has partnered with seca , global leader in medical measuring and weighing systems, to enable wireless automated interface between the Welch Allyn Connex® Vital Signs Monitor (VSM) and seca scales and measuring devices with the seca 360° system. The partnership allows Welch Allyn to offer for the first time a wirelessly connected weight and height patient data solution for both physician and hospital customers in low-acuity settings.

The two devices communicate wirelessly through a seca adapter that plugs into the Welch Allyn Connex VSM.  They can be up to 98 feet apart, depending upon office configuration, and still communicate, which will help increase workflow by reducing the need to move equipment from room to room.  Automating the interface between the respective devices can also help eliminate documentation errors by reducing the need for manual parameter recording, while also increasing the speed of recording weight and height into electronic medical records (EMR).

“In order to improve patient outcomes, healthcare providers need access to accurate patient data from the initial point of care,” said Doug Linquest, senior vice president, Vital Signs Business Unit at Welch Allyn.  “And the availability of wireless connectivity between a Welch Allyn vital signs monitor and seca 360° devices allows us to provide a solution that will add up-to-date patient weight and height directly to their data and then can be transferred to an EMR."

Under the agreement, seca scales and measuring devices with the seca 360° system include digital column scales, measuring stations, pediatric scales, multifunctional wheelchair scales, bariatric scales, chair scales and seca’s newest device – the seca mBCA (medical Body Composition Analyzer). Each device is designed to accommodate every kind of patient need quickly and accurately in a physician or hospital setting.

“Doctor visits in any setting tend to start with the measurement of vital signs—blood pressure, temperature, and, of course, weight and height—all essential information to provide proper care and treatment to the patient,” said Lyndsey Nunez, marketing manager of seca North America. “This partnership seems to be a natural fit between seca and Welch Allyn as both companies focus on providing solutions that help improve the first interaction between healthcare providers and patients. Additionally, the seca 360° system encrypts the transmission by Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with seca’s own wireless protocol, and is protected from interaction with other networks.  So, multiple seca devices can be used together, and with the Welch Allyn Connex VSM, securely in any clinical environment. We look forward to the benefits this creates for healthcare professionals around the world who are looking to utilize reliable technology in their everyday practice.”

The seca 360° wireless scales and measuring devices are available in countries where the Welch Allyn Connex VSM is sold. For more information, visit www.welchallyn.com or www.seca.com.