Pulse Oximeter

[RiverNurse]

Hello,

I want to purchase a portable pulse oximeter. Anyone know of a good, reputable brand that can be used in a clinical environment? I have looked for surgical supply company in my area and no one carries them, so, I am going to try looking online.

Many thanks,

RiverNurse

[lamazeteacher]

Dear Jolie:

I would go up the "chain of command" before calling in the licensing agencies.

I worked somewhere on a weekend, when 3 B.P. machines went out. No repair people could be reached. So we problem solved with the Supervisor and shared a B.P. machine from another floor. It took longer to get VSs done, but at least we were using machinery that was accurate.

The 3 malfunctioning machines were placed with tags on them, right near the purchasing department and were taken for repair on Monday, with 3 functioning machines left on loan.

It's only when administration repeatedly refuses to repair necessary equipment or prolongs sending machines out for repairs, that outside agencies need to be contacted.

Best wishes....

[RiverNurse]

That's what appears to be happening in the situation in my workplace. RE: manual BP cuffs - well - the cuffs themselves aren't available in all rooms - as was the case in the instance of this patient. I have been told that management has been told about the equipment - and we are still waiting...

I have, however, asked nurses and CNAs on the floor to compile a list of machines that are in need of repair. Despite the fact that this has been done before, I told several that we should give it another go before proceeding.

Thanks for all your responses.

RiverNurse

[lamazeteacher]

Dear River Nurse:

Is there a Quality Assurance committee where you work? If not, it's time to assemble one, with representation from each unit. The unrepaired equipment should not be left on the floor (what good is it?). The committee can recommend a place where it is convenient to be picked up for repair, and put that in the "minutes".

If you're concerned over not having BP equipment in each room and that is the "standard of care" for other facilities like yours in your community (ask around), then you have a legitimate complaint. I always like to have the necessary (properly working) equipment for taking VS conveniently in the hallway between every 4-6 rooms (hiding it for your own use isn't fair).

Cooperation is the only way things get done, so work together with your coworkers to have necessary items for patient care where you need them.

Best of luck!

[rn/writer, RN]

I'm glad to see some QA prodding will be done.

In addition to the personal liability issues that can arise when nurses bring in their own equipment, doing so may give the message to the facility that providing these necessities isn't quite so urgent because if things get desperate, "the nurses will pitch in and take care of it." Let the burden fall on the bigger shoulders, please.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

In an emergency if you can't find working equipment, assess the following:

1. Sufficient respirations (chest rise, equal chest expansion, adequate volume, adequate speed)

2. Palpable femoral and carotid pulses.

3. Nail bed color. Capillary refill

4. Pt. mentation

cheers,

[lamazeteacher]

Thanks, Roy for your reminder of the basics.

I'd like to add the area under the lower eyelid, as a check point for palor, if the patient has nailpolish on her fingernails.

Be sure to chart what you checked, noting the unavailability of an oximeter. If you chart on a computer, send a copy of the note to your supervisor, with a cc to the administration..... I'll bet you'll be rolling in oxymeters after that!

[RiverNurse]

Thanks all for your responses. In addition to answering the basic question, I was also prompted to examine things a bit more deeply. Instead of "When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!", the advice given helped me to look beyond patching a "symptom" to getting to a positive resolution to an ongoing situation.

Many thanks all... Keep the advice coming! I've still so much to learn.

RiverNurse

[*bettie*]

I thank you for raising legal concerns. I am going to be doing home health for the first time, and my inital thought was my liability for not testing, supplying the equipment if nesscessary. I think I will opt for using whatever tools the agency supplies.

[snowmancd2]

I know plenty of people that end up buying their own pulse oximeter because the hospital doesn't have enough or the ones they do have end up getting lost/stolen. My sister bought her pulse oximeter from http://www.devonsuperstore.com and a few of her coworkers followed suit because they just like being able to check O2 levels when moving patients around without having to use the bigger machines. Whatever reasons people have these things are getting more and more popular. Technology these days!

[anursefinally]

we can't supply our own pulse ox but we can supply our own stethoscopes, even the electric ones for hard of hearing?????? Whats the difference. Where I work we have one pulse ox for 73 patients, two of the halls are a pretty far walk. Some times this pulse ox doesn't even work. It's been reported several times. I've worked here for almost a year and most of the nurses have purchased their own. The thinking is if we don't sign off that we took the pulse ox reading then we are responsible for not doing our job

[lamazeteacher]

It's interesting to see that this thread has attracted at least 5 ads for pulse oximeters......

I suppose that having them unavailable at worksites enhances the wealth of the manufacturer(s), and that's capitolism at its worst and best......

However I abhor such methods of marketing. It is almost like the facility has been told that if they don't order needed equipment, their employees will provide it gratis. Are we to continue providing the things that make our work possible, and our jobs more secure - at our own expense????

If you buy anything for your work, be sure the cost is deducted from your tax obligation....

[CCL RN, RN]

Well, it happened - but not to me. Shift change this morning and the day shift nurse had the section adjacent to mine. She came running up to me and said, "The pt in room 901 is just not right. His color isn't good and he didn't look this way yesterday." She went on to say that she had taken three different BP machines into his room - none of them worked... She finally found one that did - but the pulse ox didn't work... pt dyspneic, pale and decreased LOC. She tried calling respiratory and the response team - and they were on their way up by the time I left. However, she was unable to provide respiratory and the response team with VS. At this point, I do not know what happened with that situation.

It's simply frustrating!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

RiverNurse

In this instance, you do not even NEED a pulse ox. What's it going to tell you? That your patient is in resp distress?

You already know this.

He is dyspnic, pale, decreased LOC, and his nurse is saying, "he doesn't look good". That's all you need to know!

Call a rapid response, put on some O2, ABCs... But they time you do an initial asessment the RRT will be there.

Treat the patient, not the monitor.