Abstract
Background and aims: To prevent excess levelsof pulse oximetry saturation (SpO2) in very preterminfants (VPIs), alarms are used. These alarmssound frequently, which causes a burden on patientsand staff. Preset alarm limits may deviate fromthe protocol for several reasons. We investigatedadherence to the protocol and the relation betweenalarm limits and corresponding SpO2 levels.
Methods: Inclusion criteria were: gestational age <30 weeks, birth weight ≤1250 grams, and FiO2>21%at start of data-recording. Alarm limits, SpO2, andFiO2 were collected for 3 days continuously. Theprotocol prescribes alarm limits of 88 and 94 (whenFiO2>21%) or 88 and 100 (when FiO2 =21%).
Results: Twelve VPIs were included: (median (minmax))gestational age was 262/7(242/7-28) weeks, birthweight was 760 (545-935) grams, postnatalage was 4 (2-12) days. Data was collected for 658hours (∼1 Hz).
When FiO2 was >21% (566 hrs.) alarm limits wereset according to the protocol in 64% of time. In 26%the upper alarm limit was set up to 99. In 10% theupper limit was set to 100. Commonly used alarmlimits and corresponding SpO2 levels are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
Conclusions: Alarm limits deviate from the protocolfrequently. No relation was found between presetalarm limits and the distribution of SpO2 levels. Weadvice to check alarm limits regularly, and register(reasons for) alarm limit adjustments.
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Van Der Eijk, A., Dankelman, J., Schutte, S. et al. 1328 Adjustments of Spo2 Alarm Limits and Corresponding Spo2 Levels in Very Preterm Infants. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 656–657 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01328
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01328
