European medtech regulators approved Covidien’s (NYSE:COV) Nellcor Respiration Rate patient monitoring system, which captures oxygen saturation and pulse and respiration rates all through a single finger sensor.

Covidien immediately launched the new Nellcor system, which includes 2.0 version software, an adult respiratory system and an already-cleared bedside respiratory monitoring system.

The company said that the 3-in-1 system may help reduce post-operative respiratory complications, improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of hospital care. Respiratory rates, in particular, are important and often-missing factors in patient monitoring.

"Approximately 77% of patients suffering adverse events have at least 1 vital sign missing from documentation immediately before the event," according to Covidien. "Recent recommendations from the Joint Commission, American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation suggest continuous electronic monitoring for adult patients receiving medication for postoperative pain management."

Integration is a vital step in improving post-operative care, patient monitoring general manager and vice president Matt Anderson added.

The 2.0 version of the Nellcor Respiration Rate system is available on in the E.U., but the original software is also cleared in the U.S.