National University Hospital Expands Smartwatch Monitoring After Pilot Success

National University Hospital will expand the use of smartwatch-based monitoring across its wards following a successful trial that improved early detection of vital sign changes, announced in a press release.

The month-long pilot, conducted by the hospital’s Department of Surgery and concluded in June 2026, found that continuous monitoring identified changes in patients’ blood pressure, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation up to two hours earlier than standard manual observations. The approach allowed nurses to confirm abnormal readings and escalate care under existing protocols, while no critical events were missed.

The pilot used Health Sciences Authority-approved smartwatches to track vital signs without interrupting patients’ rest. Participants reported fewer disturbances, and nurses spent less time on manual documentation. The hospital plans to integrate smartwatch data into its electronic medical record system, cutting routine documentation time per patient from two minutes to about forty seconds.

Over the next year, National University Hospital aims to have up to ten percent of suitable inpatient monitoring supported by wearable devices. The hospital will continue evaluating the technology’s use across other care settings to improve patient comfort and operational efficiency.