Around-the-limb telemetry monitoring for neonates? Anyone seen these?

fergus51 · Sep 30, 2003

We use those at my hospital and they work well.

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2003

Can you tell me where you put these leads? Two on one arm, one on the other? Or one on each arm and one on the leg? I'm confused! I looked for info on the site, but it doesn't say. How do these pick up the respirations if they're not directly on the chest?

SheaTabRN · Sep 30, 2003

We only use those for the ELBW babies... and I honestly can't say that we do so consistantly enough to tell you where they go!(Assumming... white on right... yada yada) I just know I was told to set up a bed for an ELBW and the bed check-off sheet called for limb leads in this particular case. NOW....this wouldn't give you a Resp rate... however.. I've never found that the RR is all that accurate as diplayed on the monitor because it's so sensitive to all sorts of movement. JMHO :) Tab

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2003

Hmm..I agree that the RR monitoring is sensitive to artifact, but I just don't see us doing without it. I mean, I can't imagine administration ok'ing us to use these if they don't pick up a RR. Too bad! I really like the theory behind this product.

prmenrs, RN · Oct 1, 2003

We used limb leads ages ago. They pick up resps by impedence, just like chest ones do. One on each arm, one on a leg.

On ELBW's, I think they just use the pulse ox, and take the HR off the UAC pulse wave. Resp Therapy puts a "capsule" on the mid/upper abd (under the xyphoid) to pick up resp rate. It regulates the SIMV.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Oct 1, 2003

We use them....sometimes they pickup wild RR's other times they don't. Why don't you email the company and get some samples and try them out. We use them on all our kids. And the little band comes off and you can stick one of them on the chest if you need to :)

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2003

I will do that! I've already got a ton of samples coming my way from other companies. :) I was just wanting to hear from those who'd used them first-hand. Thanks!

SheaTabRN · Oct 5, 2003

Hey Guy's... I said they wouldn't pick up RR and wouldn't you know it that they do!?!?! I went in to work that evening and took care of a ELBW baby who had them on... I looked up at the monitor (HP) and was shocked. I'm sorry for the error... I just couldn't imagine how they would! I think it would be very inaccurate on an active baby... but on a little one that barely moves it would at the very least be useful for alerting you of apnea. Hope you all are doing well. Cheers!

Tab