BeneVision N1 Patient Monitor Operator’s Manual
11 - 1
11
Monitoring Pulse Oxygen Saturation (SpO
2
)
11.1
SpO
2
Introduction
Pulse Oxygen Saturation (SpO
2
) monitoring is a non-invasive technique used to measure the amount of
oxygenated haemoglobin and pulse rate by measuring the absorption of selected wavelengths of light. The
light generated in the emitter side of the probe is partly absorbed when it passes through the monitored tissue.
The amount of transmitted light is detected in the detector side of the probe. When the pulsative part of the
light signal is examined, the amount of light absorbed by the haemoglobin is measured and the pulse oxygen
saturation can be calculated. This device is calibrated to display functional oxygen saturation.
SpO
2
monitoring is intended for adult, pediatric and neonatal patients.
The following types of SpO
2
can be configured for the N1 monitor:
■
Mindray SpO
2
: the connector is blue and no logo is on the monitor.
■
Nellcor SpO
2
: the connector is grey and the logo of Nellcor is on the monitor.
■
Masimo SpO
2
: the connector is purple and the logo of Masimo SET is on the monitor.
NOTE
•
The SpO
2
extension cable should be compatible with the SpO
2
connectors. For example, you can
only connect the Mindray SpO
2
extension cable to the Mindray SpO
2
connectors.
•
A functional tester or SpO
2
simulator can be used to determine the pulse rate accuracy.
•
A functional tester or SpO
2
simulator cannot be used to assess the SpO
2
accuracy.
11.2
SpO
2
Safety Information
WARNING
•
When a trend toward patient deoxygenation is indicated, analyze the blood samples with a
laboratory co-oximeter to completely understand the patient’s condition.
•
Do not use SpO
2
sensors during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Induced current could
potentially causes burns. The sensor may affect the MRI image, and the MRI unit may affect the
accuracy of the oximetry measurements.
•
Prolonged continuous monitoring may increase the risk of undesirable changes in skin
characteristics, such as irritation, reddening, blistering or burns. Inspect the sensor site every two
hours and move the sensor if the skin quality changes. Change the application site every four hours.
For neonates, or patients with poor peripheral blood circulation or sensitive skin, inspect the sensor
site more frequently.
•
If the sensor is too tight because the application site is too large or becomes too large due to edema,
excessive pressure for prolonged periods may result in venous congestion distal from the
application site, leading to interstitial edema and tissue ischemia. SpO
2
is empirically calibrated in
healthy adult volunteers with normal levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and methemoglobin
(MetHb).
•
When patients are undergoing photodynamic therapy they may be sensitive to light sources. Pulse
oximetry may be used only under careful clinical supervision for short time periods to minimize
interference with photodynamic therapy.
•
Setting alarm limits to extreme values may cause the alarm system to become ineffective. For
example, high oxygen levels may predispose a premature infant to retrolental fibroplasia. If this is a
consideration, do not set the high alarm limit to 100%, which is equivalent to switching off the
alarm.
