Results of a quality assurance study on the use of pulse oximetry in the postanesthesia care unit.

Pulse oximetry was the subject of a 2-month quality assurance study in the pediatric PACU at The Children's Hospital of Denver. Criteria for the parameters of the study was based on the position statement developed by ASPAN. The subjects were pediatric day surgery patients. The data retrieved indicated that patients exhibited a notable oxygen desaturation on arrival in the PACU from the operating room, higher room air oxygen saturation (RA SaO2) was recorded as the patients exhibited evidence of being awake, and RA SaO2 on many patients measured at or near preoperative levels when other criteria for PACU discharge were met. The outcomes of this study resulted in the guidelines now used for the reference of practice on the use of pulse oximetry in our pediatric PACU.