An audit of oxygen supplementation in a large tertiary hospital - we should treat oxygen as any other drug

Hosp Pract (1995). 2021 Apr;49(2):100-103. doi: 10.1080/21548331.2020.1845018. Epub 2020 Nov 11.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the current state of practice of oxygen (O2) supplementation in adults hospitalized in a tertiary hospital admitted to medical-surgical floors.Methods: We recorded: the proportion of patients on O2; their peripheral O2 saturation (SpO2); if the SpO2 was within, above, or below the target range; if patients had an order for O2 supplementation and a target SpO2 range.Results: Among 811 hospitalized patients, 153 (19%) were on supplemental O2. Forty-nine percent were in the recommended range, 55% above, and 1% below. All patients with COPD on O2 supplementation had a SpO2 of more than 92% exposing them to the risk of hypercarbia. Only 43% of patients on oxygen had an associated order and only 52% of patients with an O2 order had an order for a goal SpO2 range.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate widespread hyperoxia among hospitalized patients and that oxygen, a very common therapy, is being administered frequently without any written order. These findings highlight the opportunity to implement safe prescribing measures for O2, similar to other prescribed medications.

Keywords: Oxygenation; conservative oxygen therapy; hyperoxia; hypoxia; implementation.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Electronic Health Records
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / therapy*
  • Massachusetts
  • Medication Therapy Management
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / standards*
  • Tertiary Care Centers*