How to Record & Interpret Patient Vitals in AfyaWingu – Step-by-Step Guide

How to Record & Interpret Patient Vitals in AfyaWingu – Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome back to AfyaWingu Healthcare Management System—your digital partner in delivering efficient, accurate, and patient-centered care.  

In today’s guide, we’re diving deep into Section 2: Vitals, a critical component of every patient encounter. Accurate vital signs don’t just fill a chart—they paint a real-time picture of a patient’s physiological status, guide urgent decisions, and can even save lives.

Let’s walk through this section using a live example: Maxwell Wright, a 20-year-old male visiting on November 25, 2025. We’ve just completed his Chief Complaint and are now ready to capture his vital signs. Notice the blue-highlighted tab at the top: “2. Vitals”—you’re in the right place.

🔹 Why Vitals Matter  

Vital signs are the body’s early warning system. In AfyaWingu, **Section B: Vital Signs** includes **12 key fields**, each designed to give you—and your care team—actionable insights. Let’s break them down:

1. Heart Rate (BPM) 

What to enter: Beats per minute (e.g., `100`)  
Normal (adults): 60–100 BPM  

Red flags:

High: Fever, anxiety, dehydration  
Low: Shock, hypothermia, medication effects  

💡 *Pro tip*: If the patient just walked in or seems anxious, wait 2 minutes before measuring for accuracy.

 

2. Blood Pressure (Systolic / Diastolic) 

Enter separately: Systolic (e.g., `120`) and Diastolic (e.g., `80`)  
Normal: <120/80 mmHg  

Concerns:  

High: Hypertension, pain, stress  
Low: Shock, blood loss, dehydration  


💡 System note: Enter numbers only—AfyaWingu auto-formats as “120/80”.

 

3. Respiratory Rate (breaths/min) 

Normal: 12–20 breaths/minute  
Abnormal:  

Fast: Asthma, pneumonia, anxiety  
Slow: Drug overdose, neurological issues  

 

💡 Stealth method: Count breaths while pretending to check pulse—patients often alter breathing if they know they’re being watched!

 

4. Temperature (°C)

Normal: 36.5°C – 37.5°C  
Fever: ≥38.0°C (infection, inflammation)  
Hypothermia: <35°C (exposure, metabolic issues)  

 

💡 Best practice: Note method (oral, axillary, tympanic)—though the system assumes °C.

 

5. SpO₂ (%) – Oxygen Saturation

Normal: 95%–100%  
Alert: <94% may signal lung or heart issues  


💡 Accuracy tip: Ensure the pulse oximeter is properly placed and the patient is still.

6. Pain Scale (0–10)

Ask: “On a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable), how would you rate your pain?”*

Interpretation: 

    •   0–3: Mild  
    •   4–6: Moderate
    •   7–10: Severe  

 

💡 *Documentation tip*: Always add location and quality (e.g., “8/10 sharp left abdominal pain”).

 

7. Blood Glucose (mmol/L)

Fasting normal: 3.9–5.5 mmol/L  
High (>7.0): Uncontrolled diabetes  
Low (<3.9): Hypoglycemia (watch for sweating, confusion)  

 

💡 Clinical note: Record time of last meal for context.

 

8. Capillary Refill (seconds)

How to test: Press fingernail or sternum; time color return  
Normal: ≤2 seconds  
Delayed (>2 sec): Poor perfusion, dehydration, shock  

 

💡 Avoid error: Perform in a warm room—cold causes false delays.

 

9. Weight (kg) 

Enter in kilograms (e.g., `70`)  

💡 Accuracy tip: Use a calibrated scale; note if patient is wearing shoes or heavy clothing.

 

10. Height (cm)

Enter in centimeters (e.g., `170`)  

 

💡 Best practice: Measure without shoes; estimate only if necessary.

 

11. BMI (Auto-Calculated)

No manual entry needed!  
Based on your weight and height inputs  

Categories:  

  • Underweight: <18.5  
  • Normal: 18.5–24.9  
  • Overweight: 25–29.9  
  • Obese: ≥30  

12. Live Interpretation Panel (Right Side)  

This smart feature updates in real time as you enter data. For Maxwell (temp = 40°C, SpO₂ = 92%), AfyaWingu automatically flags:

  • Fever 
  • Low oxygen saturation 
  • Possible hypotension (if BP is low)  

These alerts help you catch emergencies faster—especially during high-volume shifts or when training new staff.

🔹 Don’t Forget to Save!  

Once you’ve entered the vitals:  

✅ Click the blue “Save Information” button (bottom-left).  
✅ Even though AfyaWingu auto-saves, manual confirmation ensures seamless handover.  

You’ll see:  

Last saved: November 25, 2025 | Updated By: Malaika Center

This audit trail supports accountability, continuity, and team coordination.

What’s Next?  

With vitals complete, you’re ready to move forward in Maxwell’s care journey:  

  • Section 3: HPI – Detailed history of present illness  
  • Section 4: History & Safety – Past conditions, allergies, social risks  
  • Section 5: Assessments  – Your clinical impression and plan  
  • Section 6: Administer Medications – Document prescriptions or triage treatments  

Each section builds a comprehensive clinical narrative—empowering faster, smarter decisions.

Thank you for trusting AfyaWingu to streamline your workflow and elevate patient care.  

Remember: Great medicine starts with great data. And in AfyaWingu, every vital sign counts. 💙

Stay tuned for our next guide on Section 3: HPI!