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Determining the best method of Nellcor pulse oximeter sensor application in neonates
Author(s) -
Saraswat A,
Simionato L,
Dawson JA,
Thio M,
Kamlin COF,
Owen L,
Schmölzer G,
Davis PG
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02571.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pulse (music) , gestational age , pregnancy , telecommunications , detector , biology , computer science , genetics
Aim: To identify the optimal sensor application method that gave the quickest display of accurate heart rate (HR) data using the Nellcor OxiMax N‐600x pulse oximeter (PO). Methods: Stable infants who were monitored with an electrocardiograph were included. Three sensor application techniques were studied: (i) sensor connected to cable, then applied to infant; (ii) sensor connected to cable, applied to investigator’s finger, and then to infant; (iii) sensor applied to infant, then connected to cable. The order of techniques tested was randomized for each infant. Time taken to apply the PO sensor, to display data and to display accurate data (HR PO = HR ECG ± 3 bpm) were recorded using a stopwatch. Results: Forty infants were studied [mean (SD) birthweight, 1455 (872) g; gestational age, 31 (4) weeks; post‐menstrual age, 34 (4) weeks]. Method 3 acquired any data significantly faster than methods 1 (p = 0.013; CI, −9.6 to −3.0 sec) and 2 (p = 0.004; CI, −5.9 to −1.2 sec). Method 3 acquired accurate data significantly faster than method 1 (p = 0.016; CI, −9.4 to −1.0 sec), but not method 2 (p = 0.28). Conclusion: Applying the sensor to the infant before connecting it to the cable yields the fastest acquisition of accurate HR data from the Nellcor PO.