The film's project was originally conceived to be about a country doctor before evolving into the story of medical students at a Los Angeles medical school.

Vital Signs received mixed reviews from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting only 43% of 7 surveyed critics giving it a positive review.

Critic Leonard Maltin gave the film one and a half stars, calling it watchable but of no distinction, while praising Jimmy Smits for projecting quiet authority as the surgeon instructor.

Janet Maslin of The New York Times criticized the film for lacking energy and surprising turns, describing its characters as overly familiar.

Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave a positive review, noting the film never strays far from camp but delivers on its own shameless terms.

The film was released on DVD by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on June 7, 2005, and later on Blu-ray by Anchor Bay Entertainment on October 1, 2013.