Neil C Devoe1, Periklis Kyriazis1, Ahmed Eltanbedawi1, Anisha Contractor2, Anthony W Esposito2, Muhammad S Khan1, Joseph Daniel3, Mihaela S Stefan4,5. 1. Internal Medicine Residency, University of Massachusetts, Baystate Health, Springfield, MA, USA. 2. Internal Medicine - Pediatrics Residency, University of Massachusetts, Baystate Health, Springfield, MA, USA. 3. College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, USA. 4. Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School - Baystate, Springfield, MA, USA. 5. Institute for Healthcare Delivery and Population Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School - Baystate, Springfield, MA, USA.
Abstract
Objectives: To examine the current state of practice of oxygen (O2) supplementation in adults hospitalized in a tertiary hospital admitted to medical-surgical floors. Methods: We recorded: the proportion of patients on O2; their peripheral O2 saturation (SpO2); if the SpO2 was within, above, or below the target range; if patients had an order for O2 supplementation and a target SpO2 range. Results: Among 811 hospitalized patients, 153 (19%) were on supplemental O2. Forty-nine percent were in the recommended range, 55% above, and 1% below. All patients with COPD on O2 supplementation had a SpO2 of more than 92% exposing them to the risk of hypercarbia. Only 43% of patients on oxygen had an associated order and only 52% of patients with an O2 order had an order for a goal SpO2 range.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate widespread hyperoxia among hospitalized patients and that oxygen, a very common therapy, is being administered frequently without any written order. These findings highlight the opportunity to implement safe prescribing measures for O2, similar to other prescribed medications.
Objectives: To examine the current state of practice of oxygen (O2) supplementation in adults hospitalized in a tertiary hospital admitted to medical-surgical floors. Methods: We recorded: the proportion of patients on O2; their peripheral O2 saturation (SpO2); if the SpO2 was within, above, or below the target range; if patients had an order for O2 supplementation and a target SpO2 range. Results: Among 811 hospitalized patients, 153 (19%) were on supplemental O2. Forty-nine percent were in the recommended range, 55% above, and 1% below. All patients with COPD on O2 supplementation had a SpO2 of more than 92% exposing them to the risk of hypercarbia. Only 43% of patients on oxygen had an associated order and only 52% of patients with an O2 order had an order for a goal SpO2 range.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate widespread hyperoxia among hospitalized patients and that oxygen, a very common therapy, is being administered frequently without any written order. These findings highlight the opportunity to implement safe prescribing measures for O2, similar to other prescribed medications.