Int J Pharm Bio Sci Volume 6 Issue 4, 2015 (October - December), Pages:1069-1076
HOW ACCURATE IS THE PULSE OXIMETRY READING IN AN INTENSIVE CARE SETUP?
DR. R. SRIVATSAN , DR. S. ASMATHULLA1 AND DR. S. GIRIJA
DOI:
Abstract:
The pulse oximeter remains a valuable tool in the care of intensive care patients, but an awareness of its limitations is important in enhancing the quality of intensive care. We tried to determine the accuracy of pulse oximeter among Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) patients in the presence of various factors and also the reliability of predicting SaO2 from subsequent SpO2. Accuracy was analyzed by Bland-Altman analysis. Bias was found to be 2.5%. Subgroup analysis revealed hypoxia and acidosis significantly altered pulse oximeter accuracy. Regression analysis was done to assess reliability of predicting SaO2 from subsequent SpO2. Fluctuations in SpO2 to SaO2 difference indicated that SaO2 could not be reliably predicted from SpO2 after a single ABG analysis. A SpO2 above 93% appears necessary to ensure a SaO2 of 90%.