Pulse ox not working correctly

morte, LPN, LVN · Jan 5, 2011

If taking the PO is part of the care plan, then the agency should be supplying you with one.

ventmommy · Jan 5, 2011

With our insurance, we "rent" it until it is paid for which takes three years. Then it is ours. I think we are only eligible to get a new one every three years. So if it has been three years since she first got it, she might be eligible for a new one. I think Medicaid in my state is every 5 years but don't quote me on that. Hopefully she will be eligible via insurance and will just need an order from the doc to the DME. I would be real nervous if that were my son because sometimes he turns blue before the pulse ox picks up on it but sometimes the pulse ox picks up on things before there are other signs.

Blackcat99 · Jan 5, 2011

Thanks. ;)I will ask Mom how long she has had the pulse ox. Hopefully, she may be able to get a new one. She has medicaid. I will also notify the agency that the pulse ox is not working.

hhrnohio · Jan 5, 2011

please dont think that the numbers on the pulse ox are the have all be all so to speak, if a patient is stating that they are short of breath but the pulse ox is 98% doesn't mean that the patient isn't experiencing shortness of breath.

shortness of breath is like pain subjective.

ok off of my soap box now.

caliotter3 · Jan 6, 2011

I was taught to take action based on my assessment, not to rely on fallable machinery. Follow up on getting a new device for the Mom and insure that you have put reports of the nonop oximeter in writing to your agency to forward to the doctor. My medicaid clients have no problems getting replacement devices.

systoly · Jan 10, 2011

I agree with others in that my assessment and plan of care does not hinge on the oximeter reading, however, orders for supplemental O2 usually state specific parameters based on O2 sat readings and not having this equipment could make it hard to stay in compliance. Where I live, the agency does not supply equipment. "Cannot afford to buy a new one" is a lame excuse. You can get one on the internet for $ 25. And if money is really that tight, there is always a church or charitable organization that would help.

Miss Kisha · Jan 13, 2011

Sure we treat patients not equipment but if you show up and med equip isn't operational, the agency should know!!

That "sweetie" needs clean trach sounds and needs a pulse ox. Mom is trippin' but whatever. Hope it works out.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jan 14, 2011

I carry one around now in my gear bag. The at least I'm covered on my shift.

Blackcat99 · Jan 14, 2011

My agency said they don't have a pulse ox. They said it is "Mom's responsibility" to have the pulse ox in working order.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jan 14, 2011

If your personally worried about it Walgreesn sells a pulse ox that is about $40. Good think to have in your tool bag

twinkletoes53 · Jan 31, 2011

My agency said they don't have a pulse ox. They said it is "Mom's responsibility" to have the pulse ox in working order.

I do not understand why it would be Mom's responsibility. She is not an RN, or employed by your agency. She is the patient's mother. Her child is under the care of your agency. Legally, don't you think that the child's MD would be responsible for ordering a pulse ox? If he did, then it is your agency's responsibility to ensure that she has one in working order.

You may try a few things to "troubleshoot" the machine....Have Mom put the probe on her finger, and see what it is picking up. Try a new probe. Move the probe to a site on her child that is warmed and well-perfused. Make sure the HR on the pulse ox. machine is the same as the patient's HR. Our machines in hospital had a "sensitivity" setting for use with patients who had poor perfusion. I don't know if her machine has that.

And pulse ox. is not 100% accurate. I was hospitalized 5 years ago with SOB, for a possible pulmonary embolus. My pulse ox. was 100%, but an ABG showed a pO2 of 66, and I was placed on some supplemental O2. Luckily I had micro-emboli from surgery done 6 weeks earlier. They dissipated after I was started on Heparin.