Shalinder Sabherwal1, Clare Gilbert2, Allen Foster2, Praveen Kumar3. 1. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. Correspondence to: Dr Shalinder Sabherwal, Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi (Present affiliation), Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, 5027, Kedarnath Lane, Dariya Ganj, New Delhi, Delhi 110 002, India. shalinder.sabherwal@sceh.net. 2. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the status of oxygen monitoring in Special Newborn Care Units. METHODS: Observations were made and records reviewed of infants on oxygen in all four Special Newborn Care Units of a state delivering a model program for retinopathy of prematurity. Multiple choice questions were administered to nurses, semi-structured interviews conducted with pediatricians, ophthalmologists and senior nurses. RESULTS: All units had more than 100% occupancy. The number of functioning pulse oximeters was 73% of that recommended. None of the units had air-oxygen blenders. The upper oxygen saturation alarm was set accurately only for 1 out of 18 babies receiving oxygen and none of the infants had continuous saturation monitoring. 84% of nurses did not know optimal oxygen saturation targets. Most interviewees attributed suboptimal care to overcrowding. CONCLUSION: Compressed air, air-oxygen blenders, sufficient functioning pulse oximeters, rational admission policies and training of nurses are needed to improve oxygen related practices.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the status of oxygen monitoring in Special Newborn Care Units. METHODS: Observations were made and records reviewed of infants on oxygen in all four Special Newborn Care Units of a state delivering a model program for retinopathy of prematurity. Multiple choice questions were administered to nurses, semi-structured interviews conducted with pediatricians, ophthalmologists and senior nurses. RESULTS: All units had more than 100% occupancy. The number of functioning pulse oximeters was 73% of that recommended. None of the units had air-oxygen blenders. The upper oxygen saturation alarm was set accurately only for 1 out of 18 babies receiving oxygen and none of the infants had continuous saturation monitoring. 84% of nurses did not know optimal oxygen saturation targets. Most interviewees attributed suboptimal care to overcrowding. CONCLUSION: Compressed air, air-oxygen blenders, sufficient functioning pulse oximeters, rational admission policies and training of nurses are needed to improve oxygen related practices.