title: A survey of transcutaneous blood gas monitoring among European neonatal intensive care units.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  PCO2 and PO2 are important monitoring parameters in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Compared to conventional blood gas measurements that cause significant blood loss in preterms, transcutaneous (tc) measurements allow continuous, non-invasive monitoring of blood gas levels. The aim of the study was to survey the usage and opinions among German speaking NICUs concerning tc blood gas monitoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was developed and sent to 56 head nurses of different NICUs in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A completely answered questionnaire was obtained from 41 NICUs. In two of these units tc measurements are not performed. In most NICUs (77%), both PtcO2 and PtcCO2 are measured simultaneously. Most units change the sensors every 3 hours; however, the recommended temperature of 44 degrees C is used in only 15% of units. In only 8% of units are arterial blood gases obtained to validate tc values. Large variations were found concerning the targeted level of oxygen saturation [median upper limit: 95% (range 80-100%); median lower limit: 86% (range 75-93%)] and PO2 [median upper limit: 70 mmHg (range 45-90 mmHg); median lower limit: 44 mmHg (range 30-60 mmHg)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our survey shows that the use of tc monitors remains widespread among German speaking NICUs, despite earlier data suggesting that their use had been abandoned in many NICUs worldwide. In addition, we suggest that the current method of monitoring oxygenation may not prevent hyperoxemia in preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neonatology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité-Mitte, Germany. mario.ruediger@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rüdiger
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Töpfer
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schmalisch
authors.forename: Roland R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wauer
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D018496:Hyperoxia / Q000097:blood; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland