title: Correct and spurious calibration of the Oxicom oximeter.
abstract: Oxicom oximeters are widely used in cardiac catheterization laboratories. To calibrate the Oxicom oximeter, samples of oxygenated and deoxygenated whole blood are first analyzed on a CO-Oximeter, and then the Oxicom is adjusted to agree with the CO-Oximeter's readings. Subsequently, the Oxicom's calibration is confirmed at frequent intervals by taking readings from a white plastic stick that is inserted into the instrument to simulate a blood sample. The data in this report demonstrate that the readings from the white plastic "test simulator" failed to detect an out-of-calibration condition. By contrast, when the Oxicom was carefully adjusted to agree with a CO-Oximeter's readings on arterial and venous blood, a linear calibration curve resulted, and the Oxicom achieved its specified accuracy (2.5%). The precautions necessary to calibrate the Oxicom correctly are enumerated in the text.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7948.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D010108:Oxyhemoglobins