GE Medical Systems marquette Dash 2000, Operator'S Manual, Page: 219 / 272

Revision C Dash 2000 Patient Monitor 11-17
2005873-001
What does motion artifact
look like, what problems
can it cause, and how can
it be corrected?
What does electrosurgical
interference look like and
how can it be minimized?
Motion artifact occurs with excessive motion of the probe, the cable leading to
the probe or the cable/probe junction. In other words anything that causes any
of these things to move, like the patient moving his hands, or the cable laying
across the ventilator tubing and being moved with every cycle, can cause
motion artifact. A non-arterial, often erratic looking waveform, and a pulse rate
that does not coincide with the HR on the ECG will result.
The main problem motion artifact can cause is erroneous SPO2 readings.
Motion artifact can be reduced, if not eliminated, by selecting a ”quieter” site on
the patient. An ear probe if he refuses to keep his hands still, or an adhesive
probe on the toe, an adhesive probe on the little finger for an adult, or on the
sole of the foot in a newborn, can help greatly.
Cable movement can be reduced by applying the probe with the cable leading
toward the patient, then taping the cable to the side of the hand or foot. In the
case of the butterfly probe, the tape was designed to secure the cable to the
finger.
Electrosurgical interference will be most obvious on the displayed waveform. It
is a very spiky, erratic looking waveform caused by the electrosurgical unit's
overwhelming interference in the OR. It can result in grossly inaccurate pulse
oximeter parameters.
Electrosurgical interference can be minimized by:
1. Making sure the pulse oximeter probe is as far away from the return
pad and operating site as possible.
2. Making sure the probe is not between the return pad and operating
site.
3. Keeping the power cord and probe cable away from the power cord of
the electrosurgical unit.
4. Plugging the electrosurgery unit into a separate set of outlets from the
monitor.