RELIABILITY OF ROUTINE TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYGEN MONITORING IN NEWBORN INTENSIVE CARE

Abstract

Questions have been raised regarding the reliability of routine transcutaneous oxygen (TcPO₂) monitoring in newborn care. We carried out a prospective study to determine whether the problems with TcPO₂ monitoring were related to the instrumentation itself or to personnel operation. In our nursery, TcPO₂ monitors are maintained, calibrated and electrodes applied on the infants by their nurses. 51 paired TcPO₂-PaO₂ readings obtained under these routine conditions correlated significantly, r = 0.48, p <.001. A second series of observations were then made with one individual responsible for all the monitoring. 56 TcPO₂-PaO₂ determinations also correlated, r = 0.93, p <.001. While in both sets of data, TcPO₂ correlated significantly with PaO₂, a better correlation was obtained under restricted conditions (p <.03). The table summarizes the frequency of failure and error in detection of hypoxia and hyperoxia.

Higher frequencies of errors were observed with routine use, 21/51 (42%) compared to the restricted use, 9/56 (16%), X² = 8.34, df = 1, p <.005. This study demonstrates the reliability and accuracy of routine TcPO₂ monitoring is significantly affected by personnel operation.

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