Adjustment of oxygen use by means of pulse oximetry: an important tool for patient safety

• Autor(a) principal: Mendes,Telma de Almeida Busch
• Data de Publicação: 2010
• Outros Autores: Andreoli,Paola Bruno de Araújo, Cavalheiro,Leny Vieira, Talerman,Claudia, Laselva,Claudia
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Einstein (São Paulo)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-45082010000400449
• topic: Anoxia; Oximetry; Oxygen therapy/adverse effects

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.