Jump to content

O2 administration


Recommended Posts

Our protocols here *and I don't have them on hand but dont worry Kiwiology will no doubt post them :P *

state that oxygen is given only to maintain an O2 saturation level above 95% and is only given to patients if they are heamodynamically unstable. O2 is given via NP and only at higher levels if unstable or requiring it. I am trying to get a change within our hospital which still blasts patients with at least 6 Litres of O2 for anything, I had a fight with a fellow nurse who tried to blast me with 6-10 litres of O2 when I was in with my heart playing up and refused high level O2. I hope a change comes about, Prehospitally it has come about, so now lets see if it changes in the hospital.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oxygen is a specific treatment for hypoxia (hypoxaemia) only. It is not a "general treatment" for patients who are injured or unwell nor is is a treatment for ischaemia, tachyponea or an altered level of consciousness.

Prophylactic administration of oxygen is inappropriate and supraphysiologic hyperoxaemia (a greater than normal level of oxygen in the blood) causes small arterioles to constrict which reduces blood flow. This is particularly bad for patients with myocardial ischaemia, stroke or shock and the evidence appears to indicate greater mortality in myocardial infarction patients who receive supplemental oxygen.

Remember, ischaemia is not hypoxia (hypoxaemia) and that oxygenation is not ventilation; the concepts are very different. Ischaemia is localised whereas hypoxaemia is global and if a patient has an ischaemic myocardium because of an occluded coronary artery(ies) then cramming more oxygen down his throat is not going to break up the clot now is it?

Only give oxygen to patients who need it, and in the lowest concentration required. Most patients only need nasal prongs or an acute (ordinary) mask.

Oxygen is a drug, remember that, you wouldn't give somebody 100mg of morphine if they only require 1mg would you? so why give somebody fifteen litres of oxygen when they only require two or three?

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I expect our new protocols to say something to the effect of "maintain spo2 at 94% or greater".

Not even quite sure what our current protocol says... I just give it when I think it's appropriate and don't when I don't.

:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...