8 Monitoring SpO2
165
Measuring SpO2
1 Select the correct patient category setting (adult/pediatric and neonatal), as this is used to optimize
the calculation of the SpO
2
and pulse numerics.
2 During measurement, ensure that the application site:
– has a pulsatile flow, ideally with a perfusion indicator value above 1.0.
– has not changed in its thickness (for example, due to edema), causing an improper fit of the
sensor.
WARNING
• Inspect the application site every two to three hours to ensure skin quality and correct optical
alignment. If the skin quality changes, move the sensor to another site. Change the application site
at least every four hours.
• Injected dyes such as methylene blue, or intravascular dyshemoglobins such as methemoglobin
and carboxyhemoglobin may lead to inaccurate measurements.
• Inaccurate measurements may result when the application site for the sensor is deeply pigmented
or deeply colored, for example, with nail polish, artificial nails, dye or pigmented cream.
• Interference can be caused by:
– High levels of ambient light (including IR warmers) or strobe lights or flashing lights (such as
fire alarm lamps). (Hint: cover application site with opaque material.)
–Another SpO
2
sensor in close proximity (e.g. when more than one SpO
2
measurement is
performed on the same patient). Always cover both sensors with opaque material to reduce
cross-interference.
– Electromagnetic interference, especially at perfusion indicator values below 1.0 and signal
quality indicator below medium.
– Excessive patient movement and vibration.
SpO2 Signal Quality Indicator (Fast SpO2 only)
The SpO
2
numeric is displayed together with a signal quality indicator (if configured and enough space
is available) which gives an indication of the reliability of the displayed values.
The level to which the triangle is filled shows the quality of the signal; the indicator below shows a
medium signal quality, the signal quality is at a maximum when the triangle is completely filled.
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