title: Oximetry for preterm infants at neonatal discharge: What is current practice in New Zealand and Australia?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to survey level 2 and 3 neonatal units in Australasia to determine the prevalence of oximetry studies at discharge for preterm infants, how these oximetry studies are performed, and which measures are included in an oximetry report.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 10-question online survey was created using Survey Monkey regarding use of predischarge oximetry and e-mailed to 46 neonatal units (all level 2 and three units in NZ and all level 3 units in Australia).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 59% (27/46) with a NZ response rate of 78% (18/23). There was variation in the groups of infants receiving predischarge oximetry studies, with one fifth of responding neonatal units never performing oximetry at discharge. Of the units using predischarge oximetry screening, infants being discharged home on supplemental oxygen were the only group for which all units perform predischarge oximetry. Masimo (Masimo, Irvine, California, USA) is the most common oximeter brand and profox Associates, Inc. (PROFOX Associates, Inc., Escondido, CA 92025, USA) the most common analysis software used. Measures included in oximetry reports vary between units, with profox Associates, Inc.'s default event definition of 'a drop in saturation by four or more' being the most commonly reported desaturation definition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate a need for guidelines to standardise preterm infant oximetry monitoring at neonatal discharge. Further research is required to determine the utility of predischarge oximetry and to establish which infants should be screened.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wellington
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Angela J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health.
authors.forename: Dawn E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Elder
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010092:Oximetry / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: preterm infants; pulse oximetry