I once came on to a shift (nights) and was immediately called to a Rapid Response. A Patient had coded just a bit earlier, was intubated, and placed on a ventilator. Even on an FIO2 of 100% the SPO2 was in the low 80s. The Docs were freaking about it, ordering X-Rays and moving the ET Tube, but they were unable to fix it. It looked hopeless for that individual.
They had us switch the Ventilators out, TWICE, and it did not help. Finally, hours later, somebody ordered an ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) and it turned out that the Oxygen Saturation was perfectly normal.
The reliance upon those Pulse Oxymeters was an incredible blunder. The Patient clearly had some circulation and/or perfusion problems. When in doubt get an ABG. A lot of time, equipment, and resources were wasted that night. I vowed to myself to never rely on a Pulse Ox again under such conditions. That was years ago. Those things especially the cheap ones simply cannot be trusted.
In the ICU we did not have the ‘cheap ones’ and they still failed.
What I see with newer medics is that they get focused on “treating the monitor” and not treating the patient.
There are lots of ways to determine profusion without having to look at some piece of equipment. Does the patient appear to be in distress? Skin color? Capillary refill time?
Just real cold fingers will throw off the readings.
I hope someone reported that to the manufacturer as a complaint - it’s a medical device report (higher investigation and reporting requimrents then a normal complaint) as the patient’s life was at risk due to misdiagnosis.
Good to know regarding the Pulse Oxymeters. I have one, but I will consider it as a quick check device only. That is, if I feel normal and the reading is normal (96 seems to be normal for me), then I’ll be Ok with it.
I recently bought one...$30
Can’t use it at ,my desk because of the stray EMF given off by the electronics nearby.
It does work from about 6feet away.
Then I got to thinking about laying in a hospital bed with all the electronics that would be surrounding...