Accuracy of Pulse Oximeter and Abg Analysis in Measurement of Oxygen Saturation in Covid 19 Patients in Recovery Ward and In Silent Hypoxia- An Observational Study.

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Dr. Neha Ingale Chaudhary, Dr. Sachin Chaudhary, Dr. Ranjit Ambad, Dattu Hawale, Gauri Ajay Chaudhary

Abstract

Need: A specific and accurate thorough clinical monitoring is crucial for observing patients’ recovery status and further planning of treatment/management measures in COVID 19 pandemic. Fluctuations in blood oxygen saturation are particularly important in COVID 19 patients to prevent and early detect the unforeseen situations. Silent hypoxia is one of the threatening situations in such patients. Therefore the exact calibearation and accuracy testing of the oxygen is crucial. Method:. Out of 22 patients in COVID 19 recovery ward, 7 were encountered with silent hypoxia in sample collection process. The 30 paired samples of 15 patients and 14 paired samples of 7 patients with silent hypoxia (in a pair one sample was of SpO2 by pulse oximeter and another was of SaO2 by ABG analyzer) were analyzed seperately for accuracy by Bland and Altman’s equations of limits of agreement. The mean difference and standard deviations were documented and the inferences were drawn. Results: For 15 patients, 30 paired samples were drawn for SpO2 and SaO2 respectively. The results obtained were with the bias of 0.6 % with LOA of 5.2 % to 3.6 %.For the patients with silent hypoxia (n=7, samples 14), the LOA was similar with mere changes i.e. 5.1% to 3.5%. Conclusion: The SpO2 measurements by pulse oximeter can be used routinely for monitoring purpose and to check for silent hypoxia of COVID 19 patients in recovery wards. But for accurate measurements of oxygen saturations in critical situations also in silent hypoxia, SaO2 by arterial blood analyzer still should be considered as better choice.

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