title: Adjustment of oxygen use by means of pulse oximetry: an important tool for patient safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess patient's level of oxygenation by means of pulse oximetry, avoiding hypoxia (that causes rapid and severe damage), hyperoxia, and waste.
  
  
  METHODS
  Calculations were made with a 7% margin of error and a 95% confidence interval. Physical therapists were instructed to check pulse oximetry of all patients with prescriptions for physical therapy, observing the scheduled number of procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 129 patients were evaluated. Hyperoxia predominated in the sectors in which the patient was constantly monitored and hypoxia in the sectors in which monitoring was not continuous.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Professionals involved in patient care must be made aware of the importance of adjusting oxygen use and the risk that non-adjustment represents in terms of quality of care and patient safety.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein - HIAE, BR.
authors.forename: Telma de Almeida Busch
authors.initials: Tde A
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein - SBIBAE, São Paulo, SP, BR.
authors.forename: Paola Bruno de Araújo
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Andreoli
authors.affiliation: Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein - SBIBAE, São Paulo, SP, BR.
authors.forename: Leny Vieira
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Cavalheiro
authors.affiliation: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein - HIAE, São Paulo, SP, BR.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Talerman
authors.affiliation: Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein - SBIBAE, São Paulo, SP, BR.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laselva