Determination of oxygen saturation compared to a prescribed target range using continuous pulse oximetry in acutely unwell medical patients

Background Both inadequate and excessive administration of oxygen to acutely unwell patients results in risk of harm. Guidelines recommend titration of oxygen to achieve a target oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) range. Information regarding whether this is being achieved is limited. Methods In this two-centre non-interventional study we used continuous pulse oximetry in acutely unwell medical patients over a 24-h period to determine the proportion of time spent with SpO(2) within the prescribed target range and whether this is influenced by the target range, age, care in a high-dependency area and the number of oxygen adjustments. Results Eighty participants were included in the analysis. The mean (SD) proportion of time spent in target range was 55.6% (23.6), this was lower in those with a reduced hypercapnic target range (88-92% or below) compared to those with a range of 92-96%; difference - 13.1% (95% CI - 3.0 to - 23.2), P = 0.012. The proportion of time spent above range was 16.2% (22.9); this was higher in those with a reduced hypercapnic range; difference 21.6% (31.4 to 12), P < 0.001. The proportion of time below range was 28.4% (25.2); there was no difference between target ranges. The proportion of time spent in range was higher for those in a high dependency area in the multivariate model; difference 15.5% (95% CI 2.3 to 28.7), P = 0.02. Conclusions Medical patients receiving oxygen in a ward setting spend significant periods of time with SpO(2) both above and below the prescribed target range while receiving oxygen therapy.