User's Manual

ECG AND SP O
2
TELEMETRY TRANSMITTER (96281) OPERATIONS MANUAL 3-6
Note:
• Because SpO
2
measurements depend upon light from a sensor, excessive ambient light can
interfere with the pulse oximeter’s measurements.
• This pulse oximeter measures functional saturation, which is essentially the percentage of
hemoglobin that can transport oxygen (oxyhemoglobin). Pulse oximeters do not detect
significant amounts of dysfunctional hemoglobins, such as carboxyhemoglobin or
methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen. Saturation measurements from pulse oximeters
cannot be directly compared to measurements from a laboratory co-oximeter. Co-oximeters
provide a fractional saturation (SaO
2
) value by measuring each type of hemoglobin individually.
This fractional value is the ratio of oxygenated hemoglobin to all measured (oxygenated and
dysfunctional) hemoglobins.
• A pulse oximeter SpO
2
measurement may not match the saturation calculated from a blood gas
partial pressure of oxygen (PO
2
). The most likely reason is that the calculated saturation value
was not corrected to reflect the effects of variables that alter the relationship of PO
2
and pH.
Such variables can include temperature, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO
2
),
2,3-DPG, and fetal hemoglobin.
Refer to your hospital’s protocols for specific instructions.
Warnings and Cautions for SpO
2
This section includes warnings and cautions specifically related to SpO
2
. Also included are cautionary
disclosures that apply to electrodes and leadwires, defibrillators (including automatic implantable
cardiac defibrillators), pacemakers, electrosurgical activity, several physiological parameters, or to the
monitoring system itself.
Warning:
• A pulse oximeter should be considered an early warning device and should NOT be
used as an apnea monitor. If a trend toward patient deoxygenation is indicated, blood
samples should be analyzed by a laboratory co-oximeter to completely understand
the patient's condition.
• Pulse rate measurement is based on the optical detection of a peripheral flow pulse
and therefore may not detect certain arrhythmias. The pulse oximeter should not be
used as a replacement or substitute for ECG-based arrhythmia analysis.
• Carboxyhemoglobin may erroneously increase readings. The level of increase is
approximately equal to the amount of carboxyhemoglobin present. Dyes or any
substance containing dyes that change usual arterial pigmentation may cause
erroneous readings.
• Inaccurate measurements may be caused by:
- Significant levels of dysfunctional hemoglobins (e.g., carboxyhemoglobin or
methmoglobin).
- Intravascular dyes such as indocyanine green or methylene blue.
D R A F T
22 June 2012