Does implementing pulse oximetry in a critical care unit result in substantial arterial blood gas savings?
OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of pulse oximetry on the use of arterial blood gas and other laboratory determinations and to examine predictors of the use of arterial blood gas measurements. DESIGN: Before (preoximetry)/after (postoximetry) study. SETTING: Thirty-bed multidisciplinary critical care unit. PATIENTS: Consecutive admissions of 300 patients (150 before and 150 after oximetry). MEASUREMENTS: For each patient examined, the number of arterial blood gas determinations, serum electrolyte levels, complete blood chemistries, arterial lactate levels, and creatinine samples were recorded for the initial 9 days of the stay in the critical care unit. These data were stratified by nursing shift (day vs night) and by the source of the admission (medical vs surgical). Other information collected included demographic variables, the severity of illness, the length of stay in the critical care unit, and various ventilatory parameters. RESULTS: Introducing pulse oximetry was associated wi
