After review of the data for patients admitted with bronchiolitis for the past 2 years, we found a wide variation in the use of continuous versus intermittent pulse oximetry by the physicians, the documentation of the type of monitoring by the nursing staff, and the use of specific orders to transition from continuous versus intermittent monitoring. We have implement an order set that guides the use of continuous pulse oximetry and the transition to intermittent pulse oximetry with the anticipation the the length of stay for patients admitted with bronchiolitis will decrease. Nursing staff education regarding the order set, pulse oximetry parameters and how to implement and document the orders is ongoing. We are reviewing the implementation of the order set and documentation on a monthly basis.
Location
John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek