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

OBJECTIVE: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.