Pulse oximetry knowledge and its effects on clinical practice

to explore literature pertaining to registered nurses' and/or doctors' knowledge in relation to the pulse oximetry in clinical practice.

pulse oximeters provide non-invasive readings of both pulse rate and peripheral oxygen saturation, leading to quick identification of potential/actual problems. Because of this, clinicians, like nurses, may become too dependent on it, neglecting other aspects of the holistic assessment process.

a literature search was carried out between 1980 and 2006, with much of the data skewed towards 1994-2006. As the central focus was to be on pulse oximetry knowledge of nurses and/or doctors, articles included had to contain a central theme addressing this. Other criteria for inclusion were links between pulse oximetry and knowledge in clinical practice, nurses and/or doctors as participants in studies addressing this, as well as the clinical competency in relation to the device.

improving knowledge may not necessarily be the answer in improving clinical competency. Future research will need to be carried out to measure the connection between knowledge and competency and to use that as a basis for education and training.