Respiratory question for a patient with a trach...

[goannain]

I had a patient recently that was supposed to go for a procedure in the morning. He was getting O2 and the setup was 4L O2 with FiO2 at 28%. He had a trach so he was receiving O2 via a T-Piece and was connected to a nebulizer. The Dr. didn't want him to go for the procedure because "he was on 4L O2." But if the FiO2 was at 28%, was he really getting 4L O2?

If we were to compare this to a patient on nasal canula, what would it be equivalent to? Maybe 2L O2 nasal canula?

Thanks for your help.

[TraumaSurfer]

To the above...I do find some nurses don't understand 02 liters and percentages.Neither do Doctors.

It is this "understanding" of O2 liters and FIO2 which appears to be causing the problems. It is best to have a working knowledge of the basic ptinciples and equipment.

But, unless a doctor is a Pulmonologist actively involved with the eqipment you can not expect doctors to know every little piece of equipment which could be totally different next door in another unit. It doesnt help either if staff is not familiar enough to guide the physician with orders to match the equipment in their unit or floor.