Auditing of Monitoring and Respiratory Support Equipment in a Level III-C Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Table 2

Definitions of appropriate programming of the variables assessed for the technological devices. ECG: electrocardiogram; PIP: peak inflating pressure; MAP: mean airway pressure; CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure; PEEP: positive end-expiratory pressure.

Appropriate programming
Pulse oximeter	SpO2 alarms	Lower limit 85% and upper limit 95% (as per protocol) or as instructed by a doctor
	Heart rate alarms	Lower limit 95 and upper limit 195 bpm or as instructed by a doctor
	Alarm volume	50–70 dB
	Sensor status	Clearly defined curves without artefacts
Multimeasurement monitor	SpO2 alarms	Lower limit 85% and upper limit 95% (as per protocol) or as instructed by a doctor
	Heart rate alarms	Lower limit 95 and upper limit 195 bpm or as instructed by a doctor [6]
	Respiratory rate alarms	Lower limit 30 and upper limit 70 rpm or as instructed by a doctor [6]
	Blood pressure alarms	±20% of the normal value for the patient’s gestational age [6]
	Alarm volume	50–70 dB
	Sensor status and ECG pads	Clearly defined curves without artefacts
Conventional mechanical ventilator	Volume/minute alarm	±20% of the normal volume/minute for a newborn [7, 8]
	Apnoea alarm	20 seconds
	Alarm volume	50–70 dB
	Peak limit in volume guarantee mode	At least 5 to 10 cm H2O above the working PIP [9]
	Respirator flow	6-7 lpm for number 2.5 endotracheal tubes
		8–10 lpm for number 3 and number 3.5 endotracheal tubes
	Position of the flow sensor	Slightly above the level of the patient
	Heater	With water and temperature set at 37°C
	Change of tubing	As per unit policy (<7 days)
High-frequency oscillatory ventilator	MAP alarms	±3 points of the programmed MAP
	Position of tubing	Running straight and at the height of the patient
	Heater	With water and temperature set at 37°C
CPAP	PEEP	As prescribed
	Heater	With water and temperature set at 39°C
	Change of tubing	As per unit policy (<7 days)