Pulse Oximetry

[Sunlight-RN]

Hi All,

I am an RN but not a NICU nurse. My question is...who is primarily responsible for Continuous Pulse Ox monitoring? The NICU nurse or a Respiratory Therapist?

Any links would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx!

[prmenrs, RN]

Depends on the unit. Big Level 3 units often have their own RT dep't, in that case, the RTs change sites, document. In a smaller unit where you're sharing RTs w/the grown-ups, the RN will initiate (and get an order for it), change sites, document as needed. The RTs just come in and charge for it. I usually change sites every other feeding or so.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

When I was in a smaller NICU, the RTs charted on the pulse ox (we changed it), they also ran the gasses.

Now that I'm in a HUGE unit, the nurses change sites, document on it, and we run all the gasses.

[babyNP., APRN]

RTs will chart on them, but as RNs, we do the same thing as well. Generally the RNs run all the gases and just call the RT with the numbers.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I'm nursery but not NICU....we do continuous pulse ox monitoring all the time. We'll keep them under an oxyhood (which we also set up) for a couple hours, but any more than that they go to NICU. The NICU RNs manage continuous pulse ox as well.

Our NICU is lucky enough to have dedicated RTs. They manage vent settings and draw ABGs as well. I'm glad they are dedicated, too, because I've had more than once that I've had issues in regular nursery and RT came over to help us out.

[NICU_babyRN, BSN, RN]

Our RTs (usually 2-3/shift) mostly manage oxygen delivery no matter what "mode" it is. So they do vent changes, help intubate, help extubate, help give surf....but the RNs are ALWAYS involved. Our RTs do NOT draw gases or change pulse ox sites. That's up to the RN. But the RTs do "checks" and they can change sites if needed. They also go to deliveries and at the delivery it is the RT who usually places a pre-ductal pulse ox since they are on the right side of the bed while the RN is on the left and MD or NNP at head of bed.

[twinkletoes53]

RNs change pulse ox. sites every shift, and document desats on our flow sheet, as well as hourly pulse ox. readings. We change pulse ox. probes as needed. They are kept in our pyxis and charged on an individual basis. RNs draw ABGs/CBGs in our unit. RTs call the doctors with the results, mange all forms of 02 delivery, and give respiratory treatments as ordered.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

RT documents with their O2 checks and with treatments. We document every hour. RT does all vent changes and gases.

[PrudenceNurse]

In our unit, the Respiratory Therapists have NOTHING to do with the pulse oximetry. We are responsible for rotating sites and for adjusting FIO2, etc.