Oxygen Saturation Targeting in Infants on the Neonatal Unit

Pulse oximetry used in the neonatal period helps monitor and reduce the risks of hypoxaemia and hyperoxaemia. An audit reviewed current practice of prescribing oxygen and monitoring oxygen saturation in the neonatal unit at Southend University Hospital, a Level 2 unit with 18 cots. Departmental teaching of guidelines, introduction of standardised prescribing stickers in the oxygen section of drug charts requiring twice-daily validation by nursing staff and posters with recommended oxygen saturation targets for prescription and monitoring alarm limits were developed. A second audit cycle showed overall rate of accurate oxygen prescribing increased from 22.9% to 87.9%.