Can I carry my own pulse ox?

[TeleRN311]

I work on a busy cardiac telemetry unit. Our pulse ox tends to disappear frequently. Several nurses hoard them and hide them for themselves. So when my pt starts complaining of SOB or CP I have to spend precious time hunting a pulse ox down. I found a portable one for $30 and I'm considering buying it. I think it could save some time. I can take pulses and BP manually all I have to have a machine for is a pulse ox. The only reason I can think of that may stop me from using it is maybe infection control. But as long as I follow policy and clean it between patients I don't see a problem with it. What do you guys think?

[siafulinux]

I don't see it as being a problem. Like you said, as long as you follow infection control precautions there shouldn't be any problems. Do you bring your own stethescope? Would your hospital consider it any different?

[Hygiene Queen]

Why not?

As long as the pulse ox is cleaned between patients, it's all good.

I want one, too!

I hate sharing, lol.

[learning&yearning]

I read somewhere that your pulse ox wouldn't be calibrated and checked with those on the unit therefore you couldn't use it. idk though...

[TeleRN311]

I read somewhere that your pulse ox wouldn't be calibrated and checked with those on the unit therefore you couldn't use it. idk though...

I thought about that too.

[Cthulhu]

Just make sure it is FDA approved and not the kind they sell at Walgreens (or whereever) for sports use. You can get an FDA approved pulse ox for as low as in the $30 range. Check out Devon.

[loriangel14, RN]

Where I work we can't use any equipment that isn't the hospitals own.

[Nurse424]

I work in a LTC facility and would NOT be caught without my own pulse ox!!!!! For me.....it's a MUST HAVE!! :redbeathe

[Jolie, BSN]

You'll find a number of old threads on this topic.

I would never purchase equipment to use at work for 2 reasons:

1. You are taking the responsibility away from your employer for providing necessary equipment in good working order. As long as you and your co-workers are willing to buy it, they never will.

2. Liability, liability and liability. If you bring in any equipment of your own, it must be safety checked, calibrated and maintained by your employer's biomedical department, or you will be responsible for any patient harm arising from it's use, such as electric shock, or inaccurate results that result in failure to detect a change in patient condition or failure to treat.

Not worth it.

[EmergencyNrse]

I bought a Respironics finger pulse-ox back in '98 when I got out of the Army.

Went to a nurse job fair in Marietta where they company is located.

Hulluva deal @ $125.00. (They're about $300.00 + these days)

Kept it with me ever since. Wouldn't be without it.

Really helps when institution probes fail or you just need to be quick about it.

30.00 you say? I'd be all over it like a fat-kid on cake!

Do it...

[TeleRN311]

You'll find a number of old threads on this topic.

I would never purchase equipment to use at work for 2 reasons:

1. You are taking the responsibility away from your employer for providing necessary equipment in good working order. As long as you and your co-workers are willing to buy it, they never will.

2. Liability, liability and liability. If you bring in any equipment of your own, it must be safety checked, calibrated and maintained by your employer's biomedical department, or you will be responsible for any patient harm arising from it's use, such as electric shock, or inaccurate results that result in failure to detect a change in patient condition or failure to treat.

Not worth it.

You bring up a point I hadn't thought of, liability.

[siafulinux]

You'll find a number of old threads on this topic.

I would never purchase equipment to use at work for 2 reasons:

1. You are taking the responsibility away from your employer for providing necessary equipment in good working order. As long as you and your co-workers are willing to buy it, they never will.

2. Liability, liability and liability. If you bring in any equipment of your own, it must be safety checked, calibrated and maintained by your employer's biomedical department, or you will be responsible for any patient harm arising from it's use, such as electric shock, or inaccurate results that result in failure to detect a change in patient condition or failure to treat.

Not worth it.

How exactly does a portable pulse ox get calibrated or maintained? It either works or it doesn't and if there is any question one can try to get/wait for a second unit from someone else to verify. Electric shock? I seriously doubt a portable unit has enough volts/amps to do so; in fact it doesn't, but check with your supplier/manufacturer if you are unsure. Also If the employer isn't supplying enough to begin with they are probably not going to just because it's requested.

I see plenty of nurses bringing in electronic stethoscopes without any problem; I still don't see this as being any different. Now a BP machine or something that has the potential of having holes in the tubing or is run on 110/220 volts and CAN be maintained would probably be a different story.