Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 8, 2025
Evaluation of Capnography Sampling Line Compatibility and Accuracy when Used with a Portable Capnography Monitor
Published on: September 29, 2020
An Educational Intervention to Improve Comfort with Applying and Interpreting Transcutaneous CO2 and End-tidal CO2
Phillip Atherton1, Carla Jungquist1, Cheryl Spulecki1
1University at Buffalo (SUNY), School of Nursing, Buffalo, NY.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an educational program about measuring ventilation using devices that assess carbon dioxide levels in patients recovering from a surgical procedure.
Design:
A pre-post survey of knowledge attainment from an educational intervention about measuring ventilation using end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) and transcutaneous carbon dioxide (tcPCO2) devices in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) was distributed to current members of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.
Methods:
Participants received a 12-question pre-intervention (five were related to demographics) and a five-question post-intervention survey. Non-demographic survey questions used a one to five Likert scale to assess comfortability or confidence. The intervention created was a voice-over presentation designed to improve PACU RN's comfort and confidence with using and interpreting tcPCO2 or EtCO2 in the PACU.
Findings:
PACU RNs (N = 108) reported they 'never' or 'rarely' used EtCO2 (n = 57, 52.7%) monitoring or tcPCO2 (n = 93, 86.1%) monitoring in the PACU. A paired t test revealed statistically significant differences in the PACU RN's pre-survey and posttest comfortability of applying and interpreting EtCO2 or tcPCO2 monitors (P < .05).
Conclusions:
Capnography monitoring should be considered a standard of care for PACU patients. Education of registered nurses working in the PACU is critical before implementing EtCO2 or tcPCO2 monitoring.
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