Smartqare’s ‘Viqtor’ Wearable Monitor Cuts Manual Patient Checks by 63% in Dutch Hospital Trial, Significantly Reducing Nursing Staff Burden

July 26, 2026

Euractiv Netherlands

Overview

A trial in a Dutch hospital demonstrated that Smartqare’s wearable monitor, Viqtor, significantly reduced manual patient checks by 63%, easing the burden on nursing staff. While not intended for specific diagnostic purposes, the device continuously monitors patients, improving efficiency in healthcare settings. This research highlights the potential of wearable technology to optimize human resources, though further cost-effectiveness evaluations are needed for broader adoption.

In Depth

Key Findings

In a pioneering trial conducted in a Dutch hospital, Smartqare’s innovative wearable monitor, “Viqtor,” achieved a remarkable 63% reduction in manual vital sign checks for patients. This accomplishment demonstrates the potential to significantly alleviate the workload on healthcare professionals, particularly nursing staff, and to establish a more efficient patient care system. While Viqtor is not intended for specific disease diagnosis, it supports early detection of abnormalities and rapid intervention through continuous physiological monitoring of patients.

Technical & Clinical Details

Viqtor Wearable Monitor: Smartqare’s Viqtor is a small, non-invasive device worn on the patient’s skin, continuously measuring vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature in real-time. This data is wirelessly transmitted to the medical system, allowing nurses and physicians to remotely monitor patient conditions.
Reduction in Manual Checks: The trial confirmed that the introduction of Viqtor led to a 63% decrease in the frequency of manual patient checks traditionally performed by nurses (e.g., vital sign measurements during ward rounds). This allows nursing staff to dedicate more time to complex care and other critical duties, providing a significant benefit to hospitals grappling with staff shortages.
Distinction from Diagnostics: Viqtor is designed as a monitoring aid, not a diagnostic tool. However, continuous data can indicate early changes in a patient’s condition and help predict potential deterioration.

Background & Industry Context

Healthcare systems worldwide face the dual challenge of increasing patient care demands due to aging populations and rising chronic diseases, coupled with a shortage of healthcare professionals. The workload on nursing staff, in particular, is severe, leading to concerns about burnout and high turnover rates. Against this backdrop, wearable technologies and digital health solutions are drawing significant attention as promising means to improve efficiency in healthcare settings and enhance the quality of patient care. The results of this trial suggest that these technologies can deliver concrete benefits in real-world clinical environments.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The success of Smartqare’s Viqtor device has the potential to accelerate its adoption in other hospitals and healthcare institutions. Future challenges include a more detailed evaluation of the technology’s cost-effectiveness to clearly demonstrate its economic benefits for large-scale deployment. Data security and patient privacy protection will also be crucial considerations. In the long term, such wearable monitoring systems are expected to expand beyond hospitals to home care and eldercare facilities, fundamentally transforming healthcare delivery and becoming an indispensable component in building a more sustainable and patient-centered healthcare system.

Source: https://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/wearable-monitors-cut-manual-checks-by-63-in-dutch-hospital-trial/

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