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Adequacy assessment of oxygen therapy
V Singh1, K Kothari, R Khandelwal
1Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College, Jaipur.
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
|March 29, 2001
Summary
Oxygen therapy is often not administered correctly in hospitals, leading to suboptimal patient benefits. Proper monitoring and adherence to guidelines are crucial for effective oxygen delivery and preventing wastage.
Area of Science:
- Medical
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Oxygen administration in hospital wards frequently deviates from prescribed protocols.
- Suboptimal oxygen therapy can limit patient benefits and lead to wastage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the need and adequacy of oxygen therapy in hospital wards.
- Evaluate the current practices of oxygen administration and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-six patients receiving oxygen therapy in medical and surgical wards were studied.
- Oxygen delivery systems were inspected, and oxygen saturation (SaO2) was measured using pulse oximetry.
Main Results:
- None of the patients received oxygen therapy as prescribed.
- Significant issues included no oxygen flow (35.5%), under-prescribed flow rates (35.2%), and leakages (13.4%).
- Corrections led to improved SaO2 in all patients; only 69% met American College of Chest Physicians criteria for initiation.
Conclusions:
- Oxygen therapy requires administration strictly according to established guidelines.
- Regular monitoring using tools like pulse oximetry is essential for ensuring adequate oxygenation and preventing resource waste.