The use of Apple smartwatches to obtain vital signs readings in surgical patients

Wearable devices, such as Apple smartwatches, have been widely used for medical and healthcare purposes. Although they provide a wide array of applications, such as heart rate and oxygen saturation determination, only a few studies have demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of these devices. Hence, this study aimed to assess the reliability of the Apple smartwatch series 8 (ASWs8) in determining heart rate and oxygen saturation against conventional monitoring devices (CMD). This cross-section study encompassed a cohort of 52 patients from King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We collected heart rate and oxygen saturation data via the ASWs8 and CMD. Subsequently, the mean measurement of each parameter was compared and evaluated for any significant differences. The ASWs8 yielded a mean heart rate measurement of 83.04 ± 13.4 BPM, while CMD produced 82.81 ± 13.5 BPM. The mean difference stood at - 0.23 ± 0.7 BPM, with limits of agreement ranging from - 25 to 25%. No significant difference emerged in the determination of heart rate (Cronbach α = 0.999, p = 0.311). Additionally, the ASWs8 recorded an average oxygen saturation measurement of 97.10 ± 1.6%, compared to CMD's 98.23 ± 1.0%. This resulted in a mean difference of 0.74% and limits of agreement spanning from - 3 to 1%. Once again, the analysis unveiled that no statistically significant difference existed in the obtained oxygen saturation levels (Cronbach α = 0.735, p = 0.094). In this study, we have uncovered compelling evidence that the ASWs8 stands as a reliable and accurate device. It exhibits strong concordance with the CMD, rendering it suitable for continuous vital signs, particularly for heart rate and oxygen saturation. Furthermore, this device can play a pivotal role in clinical management, facilitating the early detection of abnormal physiological parameters among pre-operative patients, thereby potentially reducing hospital admissions.