A very great number of people have perfusion issues which can render those miracle pulse oximeters worthless. Even if their fingers are simply cold the numbers can be skewed greatly. Using a pulse ox reading to justify an intubation is in my opinion a mortal sin. A blood gas is absolutely an imperative, and the Oxygen level is not the most important value. The Ph and CO2 are what is needed to determine ‘respiratory failure.’ Recall Ventilation is the NUMBER ONE LIFE FUNCTION. Low Oxygenation levels are normally quickly contended with in most cases without intubation.
I have personally witnessed Doctors intubating patients without ever having obtained an ABG. This is for me difficult to accept. A low O2 level does not always itself justify intubation. People do not appreciate that which is understandable but ought to be explained. A pulse oximeter is cool and flashy, but really has no place in determining a need for intubation. An ET CO2 (measured exhaled CO2) provides much more valuable data.
“A very great number of people have perfusion issues which can render those miracle pulse oximeters worthless.”
“I have personally witnessed Doctors intubating patients without ever having obtained an ABG. “
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I would think pulmonologists/critical care docs would have criteria pushed on them from their specialty societies re process flow for appropriate conditions for intubation.
Reason for possible litigation?
Thank you for the explanation.
Perhaps they did run these other tests and it just seemed to my father that they were going off the PulseOx. I can’t ask him now.
I think you explained what other measurements are needed to us before, but I think my father had passed away by then, otherwise I am sure I would have asked him some questions.
If only high school health classes were taught by retired nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, hospital janitors, etc.