Oxygen wristbands, a visual aid to aid patient safety

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> Has the introduction of oxygen wristbands improved oxygen prescribing? <b>Background:</b> Initial audit (May 2017)¹ found that compliance on the Respiratory Ward stood at 23%(completed prescription with target saturations). Latest British Thoracic Society(BTS) Emergency Oxygen Audit(2015)² demonstrated that 53% nationally had both completed. Medical &amp; Nursing Teams devised a visual aid(oxygen wristband) to be implemented onto the Acute Respiratory Ward. There are three bands: 88-92%, 94-98% &amp; ‘As Prescribed’. Education was also raised as a result. <b>Method:</b> 50 patients were reviewed, checking the prescription, wearing of the wristband &amp; clinical accuracy. Inclusion criteria were admission onto the Acute Respiratory Ward. Excluded were patients being discharged or admitted &amp; not yet reviewed by respiratory team. Statistical analysis was performed on the results to find concordance with guidelines. <b>Results:</b> Completed prescription rates rose to 86%(n=43). With 7 having an incomplete prescription. Of the 50 patients 40(80%) had wristbands on. When reviewed clinically this meant that 86% of patients were in their target range for oxygen saturations. Vitally 95% of patients needing saturations of 88%-92% were clinically accurate. <b>Conclusion:</b> Oxygen wristbands have improved compliance with prescribing &amp; documentation of target saturations above national level. Increased educational awareness amongst Health Professionals has driven this. Safe Oxygen practice is imperative for all patients &amp; from our findings the team would support the introduction within other clinical areas in the future. <b>