An audit on the effect of a hospital oxygen therapy guideline on oxygen prescription

Abstract

Introduction: Both hypoxia and hyperoxia can be harmful, so the correct prescription of oxygen therapy, and it9s use only when it is indicated, is important. Aim: To assess the effect of a hospital oxygen therapy guideline on oxygen prescription and administration at the Emergency Department (ED) and medical wards of Mater Dei Hospital Malta. Methods: Patients attending ED with conditions most likely to require oxygen therapy were recruited over 2 months in 2011, and again in 2015 after a hospital guideline on oxygen therapy was introduced. Data was collected on oxygen therapy. A p value of Results: 248 and 293 patients were recruited in 2011 and 2015 respectively. Oxygen therapy was indicated in 34.3% and 31.4% of patients respectively ( p =0.47). Oxygen saturation on air was not documented in 14.1% (2011) and 4.4% (2015) ( p In patients in whom oxygen therapy was indicated, correct documentation (delivery device and flow rate) of oxygen therapy administered at ED improved from 23.5% to 73.9% ( p p p =0.35). In the medical wards, correct oxygen therapy administration according to prescription improved from 7.1% to 48.9% ( p Oxygen therapy prescription in patients in whom oxygen therapy was not indicated improved from 56.8% to 27.1% ( p Conclusions: Oxygen saturation, oxygen therapy prescription and documentation at the ED and oxygen therapy administration in wards improved significantly after the hospital guideline was introduced.