BMJ 1995;310:1065 (22 April)

Letters

Isolated pulse oximetry readings are unreliable

EDITOR,--We are concerned at David Isaac's recommendation that general practitioners should routinely carry pulse oximeters to aid their assessment of children with bronchiolitis.1 In support of this he cites two studies.2 3 Both conclude that pulse oximetry gives the best single initial measurement of the severity of illness in bronchiolitis in the emergency department. They do not, however, support the view that general practitioners should assess acute respiratory disease in children in the community by using pulse oximetry.

An isolated measurement of oxygen saturation obtained by the general practitioner in the community is of only limited value. Oxygen saturation must be considered in the context of the child's overall clinical condition and the results of blood gas analysis. We therefore urge caution in the use of pulse oximetry; a normal value may give a false sense of security and might lead to a delay in referral to hospital with potentially fatal . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

Bronchiolitis
David Isaacs
BMJ 1995 310: 4-5. [Extract] [Full Text]

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