Vitals Entry in Imperial and Metric

SigmaMD allows you to record vitals using either Imperial or Metric units. You can switch between unit systems at any time while entering vitals, and the system automatically converts supported measurements without affecting the patient's data.

Switching between unit systems

You can change the unit system directly from the Add Vitals form.

1. Open a patient's chart.
2. Go to the Vitals section.
3. Click + Vitals.
4. Click Switch units at the top of the form, next to Record Details.

The selected unit system applies to:

• Temperature
• Weight
• Height
• Waist circumference
• Head circumference
• Hip circumference

Any values already entered are converted automatically, and the patient's BMI remains unchanged.

Entering height in feet and inches

When using Imperial units, you can enter height as either total inches or separate feet and inches.

To use feet and inches:

1. In the Height row, enable the Feet toggle.
2. Enter the patient's height using the ft and in fields.

If you later switch to Metric units, the same measurement is automatically displayed in centimeters.

Faster blood pressure entry

The blood pressure fields are designed to speed up data entry.

When entering a blood pressure reading:

1. Type the Systolic value.
2. After entering the third digit, the cursor automatically moves to the Diastolic field.

You can still edit the systolic value at any time before saving.

Entering blood glucose

Blood glucose is always entered in mg/dL, in both unit systems, as a whole number from 1 to 999.

Next to the value, the optional Timing dropdown records when the reading was taken: Before meal or After meal. The timing also sets which threshold range the reading is checked against. Leave it empty, or clear it, to save the reading without a timing; the flowsheet then shows Unknown timing under the value, and the reading is checked against the after-meal range. If you choose a timing and leave the value empty, the form shows "Blood glucose is required."

Automatic BMI calculation

BMI is calculated automatically whenever both height and weight are available.

To make data entry faster:

• The patient's most recently recorded height is automatically populated when adding new vitals.
• Update the height if it has changed.
• Enter the patient's weight.

SigmaMD automatically recalculates BMI using the current height and weight.

This allows you to record routine weight measurements without re-entering the patient's height at every visit.