PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Jayadeep Sandhu AU - Laila Mazin AU - Jennifer Powell AU - Michael Wood AU - Lara Wijayasiri TI - Improving oxygen administration safety at St Peter's Hospital DP - 2013 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P2192 VI - 42 IP - Suppl 57 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2192.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2192.full SO - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42 AB - BACKGROUNDOxygen is one of the most frequently used drugs in healthcare however it is often poorly prescribed and administered. Over oxygenation in certain patients can lead to type 2 respiratory failure (T2RF), which may cause longer hospital stays and increased morbidity. An audit on a respiratory ward at St Peter’s Hospital (SPH) in 2010 showed that only 33% of patients receiving oxygen had saturations within their target range. This work aimed to improve oxygen therapy prescription and administration, with specific emphasis on preventing T2RF due to over oxygenation.METHODAn initial audit of oxygen administration was completed using the British Thoracic Society audit tool on a respiratory ward at SPH. Then 2 interventions were implemented over 1 week. The first was the introduction of large signs stating the target oxygen saturation, which were placed by the oxygen flow meter for patients at risk of T2RF. The second was a sticker stating the target saturation range, which was added to the observation chart. A re-audit was completed at the end of this trial period.RESULTSThe initial audit showed that only 16% of the patients receiving oxygen therapy had oxygen saturations within their target range. In the re-audit, 11 patients were receiving oxygen therapy and of these, 73% of patients had saturations within target range.CONCLUSIONThe results have shown that the interventions implemented increased the safety of oxygen administration by highlighting patients at risk of T2RF. These simple interventions could be disseminated to other wards with minimal cost. Further work includes staff education, amending the prescription chart and increasing patient responsibility with respect to their risk of T2RF.