title: Understanding of pulse oximetry among hospital staff.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the level of understanding of pulse oximetry in a hospital setting and identify training needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty nine nurses and 34 doctors anonymously completed a questionnaire survey previously used by researchers in Exeter, UK. Respondents were required to explain the basic principles of pulse oximetry and demonstrate an understanding of the physiological factors limiting its accuracy. They were asked to apply their knowledge in different clinical scenarios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher proportion of nurses than doctors demonstrated an awareness of the physiological limitations of pulse oximetry. The majority of respondents correctly identified normal ranges for adult patients. Twenty nine per cent of respondents did not know how a pulse oximeter worked. Respondents failed to recognise the clinical implications of low oxygen saturations in many of the hypothetical scenarios. Only 16% of respondents had received any formal training in the use of pulse oximetry, with 65% identifying a need for more training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical and nursing staff at Christchurch Hospital have a good understanding of pulse oximetry. A higher proportion of participants were aware of checking vital signs when the oximeter reading was unreliable, than in the original UK study cohort. A need was identified for further education in this core technique. Staff training may increase the clinical value of pulse oximetry.
authors.affiliation: Canterbury Respiratory Services, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Gwyneth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swanney
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beckert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009520:New Zealand; D009726:Nurses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen