Pulse Oximetry

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

I am not familiar with them much at all....what is a normal reading?

What is abnormal. When do I notify a doctor?

Thanks !

_____________

Praiser :heartbeat

[LiverpoolJane]

A lot would depend on your pt - I would expect in a healthy individual a SaO2 of 98-100%. If they had for eg a chest infection I would be aiming to keep SaO2 above 95%. In COPD I would be concerned about CO2 retention and would be taking advice from the Dr or Physio - sometimes they are happy to keep SaO2 around the 90% mark.

I do not work on a respiratory ward so I may well be contradicted but these are roughly our guidelines.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

The other thing to keep in mind is that pulse oximetry is one of the tools in your orificenal, but it can't be the sole determinant of whether or not a patient is hypoxic or unstable. There are several factors that may cause false high or low saturation readings (including dirt, poor probe-skin contact, certain types of nail polish, shock states, carbon monoxide poisoning, and others).

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Also, look at your pt. Do they appear to be in distress? If your pt looks to be in distress, but has a Pox of 92%, that doesn't mean that everything is alright.

You have to take into account the whole picture. Pox is just one tool, as Eric said.

[Christie RN2006]

The pulse ox of a healthy individual should read 96-100%. We are usually satisfied in the ICU as long as they stay above 90%. Some COPD patients live between 85-90%. The patients doctor should give you parameters for which to call. Most of ours say to either go by 02 protocol or call if less than 90%.

Just remember to always treat your patient, and not the machine! If your patients pulse ox is reading 95%, but they are blue, something is obviously wrong! The biggest causes of false pulse ox readings are nail polish, dirt, shock, low H&H, carbon monoxide poisoning, and cold extremities.

[mcknis]

Different facilities will require different figures for SpO2 levels. Our facility wants an SpO2 of 92%or greater snd we are expected to maintain that during that entire stay. as floor nursing staff we are usually ok with anything 90% or greater, but if the RT team hears about it, they consider the pts' as having "bought a tube."

[Nightcrawler, BSN, RN]

Different facilities will require different figures for SpO2 levels. Our facility wants an SpO2 of 92%or greater snd we are expected to maintain that during that entire stay. as floor nursing staff we are usually ok with anything 90% or greater, but if the RT team hears about it, they consider the pts' as having "bought a tube."

Please don't tell me that your facility routinely intubates for any saturation less than 90%

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

, but if the RT team hears about it, they consider the pts' as having "bought a tube."

Yikes! Keep those RTs away from my pts!:uhoh21:

[RazorbackRN, BSN, RN]

It all depends on the pt.

A healthy non-smoking individual without resp. compromise, we like to see > 92%.

However, most of the babies I work with, (congenital heart defects) are blue babies and expected to stay between 75-85%. As a matter of fact, due to the physiology of their defects and repairs, one might be concerned if they were above 85%.

[Pipsqueak, ADN]

It all depends on the pt.

A healthy non-smoking individual without resp. compromise, we like to see > 92%.

However, most of the babies I work with, (congenital heart defects) are blue babies and expected to stay between 75-85%. As a matter of fact, due to the physiology of their defects and repairs, one might be concerned if they were above 85%.

Please explain this to me. I had a pt (infant) who had these exact parameters d/t a heart condition. We were to immed call the physician if the sats went (and stayed) above 85%. I can't seem to figure out why this is a concern or what harm could occur by having sats >85%.

[linzz]

My son and I are both asthmatic (under control) and he usually sats around 97 - 98% and I sat at 96 -98% when we are healthy. When either he or I are sick, the sats can go down to 95% without distress, he is more severe than I and when he is below 95%, he usually needs a nebulizer treatment and vigilant watching. So I must certainly agree with all the other experienced nurses that the sat number is only part of the picture.

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

the importantthing to remember is while the pulseoximeter is an analogue and NI substitute for the PaO2 it doesn't tell you anything else aobut the respiratory status

normal values are to a point subjective

normal fit healthy person with no respiratory compromise you'd expect 97- 100 % on room air

add in bieng cold , being an arteriopath etc it makesthe readingun relaible

addin respiratory disease either acute or chronic you will see a lower figure

some chronic lung disease patients are usually saturated at 90 -93% even though that might trigger ascore on your track and trace warning scorefor obs...