Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 98 PULSE OXIMETRY PURPOSE: Pulse oximetry will be performed to provide a periodic non-invasive method of monitoring oxygen saturation in accordance with physician’s orders. INDICATIONS: A suspected oxygen desaturation, weaning patients off the oxygen, or if a non-invasive method of monitoring is preferred. RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL: RN, LPN, RT EQUIPMENT: Pulse oximeter with finger probe, alcohol prep pads PROCEDURE: 1. Wash hands explain the purpose of the procedure to the patient. If patient is wearing nail polish or other nail covering, it should be removed. 2. Apply oxysensor to the patient. 3. Turn oximeter on and observe the pulse "tracking". Pulse beeps should be steady, and the displayed heart rate should agree closely with the patient's actual heart rate. If pulse tracking problems occur, check the sensor placement and patient perfusion. Pulse oximeter readings should be considered unreliable if steady heart rate displays are not obtained. 4. Clean equipment after use with alcohol pad. 5. Wash hands. DOCUMENTATION: Note the date and time of the procedure and any oxygen therapy in use at the time of the measurement. Record the readings of saturation and heart rate. Call results to the ordering physician. ____________________________________________________