Effect of routine pulse oximetry measurements on ED triage classification

Pulse oximetry is commonly used to rapidly determine oxygen saturation and is incorporated in emergency triage as a screening for potential cardiopulmonary complications. This study examined the effect of routine pulse oximetry measurements on emergency department (ED) triage classification. Using a portable pulse oximeter, oxygen saturation of 1,235 adults presenting to a university-based, urban ED was obtained and each patient was assigned a classification of severity based on a standard 1-to-4 scale before and after the measurement. According to data obtained, a small but statistically significant group (2.8%) benefitted from the routine use of pulse oximetry in an emergency triage system and only 40% of these patients required admission or extended care. Although this group is small in number, the potential consequences of missing a hypoxic condition could be devastating for the individual patient. Since pulse oximetry is presently an inexpensive technology, it would seem to be a worthwhile screening tool for emergency triage.