In December 2018, we issued a Patient Safety Alert 'Risk of harm from inappropriate placement of pulse oximeter probes' Oximeter probes are designed to attach to specific parts of the body to measure oxygen saturation. Adult oximeter probes can be attached to either a finger or an ear, but are not interchangeable between these sites; whilst probes for babies and children need to be selected according to the patient's weight. Using an oximeter probe on a part of the body it wasn't intended for, or an inappropriate probe for a baby/child's weight, can give an inaccurate reading. This could lead to missed opportunities for early diagnosis, or a patient receiving treatment they didn't need. The alert asked providers to ensure staff have access to appropriate equipment and the information they need to use these devices safely, with a June 2019 deadline to do this by. If you work in NHS healthcare in England and haven't seen the changes outlined in this video and alert, you are encouraged to speak to your manager and ask why.
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