Background and Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of routine early pulse oximetry screening (POS) on the rate of unexpected neonatal unit admissions and the need for echocardiography. The study also reviewed the outcomes of babies admitted to the level 3 NICU as a result of a positive POS testing. What is known prior to the study is that some cardiac defects are missed by antenatal ultrasound and routine clinical examination in the newborn period. Also, early detection of such anomalies can improve outcomes, and POS can improve detection of CCHD’s.
Review There are 18 different references used to support this article ranging from 2008 to 2013. Most of these articles were published in the last 5 year, evaluated …show more content…
Overall, 94% of all babies with a CCHD were identified prior to discharge: Fifty percent of those picked up postnatal were identified by POS. POS also identified many babies with potentially life-threatening respiratory and infective illnesses before clinical symptoms became apparent and before babies become significantly ill. The study showed that POS do not appear to required additional staff, NICU admissions were appropriate, and there are a moderate number of extra echocardiograms. Pulse oximetry used as an adjunct to existing screening methods identified 90% of all CCHD’s prior to …show more content…
Implementing POS screening along with these screening tests may save lives. The data in this study confirms that predischarge POS identifies undiagnosed CCHD and that early screening (within 24 hours) may identifies babies with life-threatening respiratory conditions and infective illnesses before clinical symptoms are apparent. The ethical issue is that parents may experience stress and unwarranted anxiety by a false positive reading. Communication between health care providers and parents may be key to minimize the potential harm if a false positive test
Review There are 18 different references used to support this article ranging from 2008 to 2013. Most of these articles were published in the last 5 year, evaluated …show more content…
Overall, 94% of all babies with a CCHD were identified prior to discharge: Fifty percent of those picked up postnatal were identified by POS. POS also identified many babies with potentially life-threatening respiratory and infective illnesses before clinical symptoms became apparent and before babies become significantly ill. The study showed that POS do not appear to required additional staff, NICU admissions were appropriate, and there are a moderate number of extra echocardiograms. Pulse oximetry used as an adjunct to existing screening methods identified 90% of all CCHD’s prior to …show more content…
Implementing POS screening along with these screening tests may save lives. The data in this study confirms that predischarge POS identifies undiagnosed CCHD and that early screening (within 24 hours) may identifies babies with life-threatening respiratory conditions and infective illnesses before clinical symptoms are apparent. The ethical issue is that parents may experience stress and unwarranted anxiety by a false positive reading. Communication between health care providers and parents may be key to minimize the potential harm if a false positive test