Status of Oxygen Monitoring in Four Selected Special Care Newborn Units in India.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the status of oxygen monitoring in Special Newborn Care Units.

METHODS

Observations were made and records reviewed of infants on oxygen in all four Special Newborn Care Units of a state delivering a model program for retinopathy of prematurity. Multiple choice questions were administered to nurses, semi-structured interviews conducted with pediatricians, ophthalmologists and senior nurses.

RESULTS

All units had more than 100% occupancy. The number of functioning pulse oximeters was 73% of that recommended. None of the units had air-oxygen blenders. The upper oxygen saturation alarm was set accurately only for 1 out of 18 babies receiving oxygen and none of the infants had continuous saturation monitoring. 84% of nurses did not know optimal oxygen saturation targets. Most interviewees attributed suboptimal care to overcrowding.

CONCLUSION

Compressed air, air-oxygen blenders, sufficient functioning pulse oximeters, rational admission policies and training of nurses are needed to improve oxygen related practices.