Pulse oximetry in infants of < 1500 gm birth weight on supplemental oxygen: a national survey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine practices related to the use of pulse oximetry in monitoring infants of < 1500 gm birth weight on supplemental oxygen.


METHODS
A mailing list of all neonatal intensive care units with accredited Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship programs was prepared. A questionnaire was prepared and mailed to collect information on the following: Method used for noninvasive monitoring of oxygen therapy, acceptable maximum and minimum arterial pulse oxygen saturation levels, high and low alarm settings, and whether oxygen was administered at a fixed or variable rate.


RESULTS
A response rate of 70% to 85% was achieved for different items of the questionnaire. A wide variation exists regarding acceptable arterial pulse oxygen saturation levels and alarm settings. Many units accepted an arterial pulse oxygen saturation level of 100% or set the high alarm at 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for greater awareness of the potential for hyperoxemia that may result from accepting an arterial pulse oxygen saturation level of 100% or setting high alarms at 100%. We urge stricter adherence to published recommendations.
Vijayakumar
E
E
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, Burlington, USA.
Ward
G J
GJ
Bullock
C E
CE
Patterson
M L
ML
D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
D010100:Oxygen