Hospital Environmental Factors That Influence Peripheral Oxygen Saturation Measurements: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and generally reliable instrument measuring pulse rate and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2). However, these measurements can be affected by the patient's internal or external factors, including the type of pulse oximeter device (POD). (1) This study's objective was to identify potential environmental factors that may impact the measurements taken by three PODs. (2) Methods: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was designed. The patients' SpO2 levels were measured using a standard monitor and two PODs owned by the professionals. The measurements were taken on the patients' fingers. Concurrently, we evaluated the surrounding environmental conditions, encompassing temperature, humidity, illuminance, and noise. (3) Results: This study involved 288 adult participants in the sample. For each 20-decibel increment in noise, there was a reduction in SpO2 by an average of 1%, whereas for every additional degree of ambient temperature, SpO2 decreased by an average of 2% (4) Conclusions: Significant correlations between SpO2 and age, as well as with noise and ambient temperature, were observed. No significant differences between oxygen saturation and lighting or humidity were observed. This study was prospectively registered with the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Gran Canaria at the Dr. Negrín University Hospital, with protocol code 2019-247-1, and approved on 24 May 2019.

Influence of Hospital Environmental Variables on Thermometric Measurements and Level of Concordance: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

During a pandemic, and given the need to quickly screen febrile and non-febrile humans, it is necessary to know the concordance between different thermometers (TMs) and understand how environmental factors influence the measurements made by these instruments. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify the potential influence of environmental factors on the measurements made by four different TMs and the concordance between these instruments in a hospital setting. METHOD: The study employed a cross-sectional observational methodology. The participants were patients who had been hospitalised in the traumatology unit. The variables were body temperature, room temperature, room relative humidity, light, and noise. The instruments used were a Non Contract Infrared TM, Axillary Electronic TM, Gallium TM, and Tympanic TM. A lux meter, a sound level meter, and a thermohygrometer measured the ambient variables. RESULTS: The study sample included 288 participants. Weak significant relationships were found between noise and body temperature measured with Tympanic Infrared TM, r = -0.146 (p < 0.01) and likewise between environmental temperature and this same TM, r = 0.133 (p < 0.05). The concordance between the measurements made by the four different TMs showed an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.479. CONCLUSIONS: The concordance between the four TMs was considered "fair".

Influence of Skin Phototype on the Level of Pain Perceived by Patients Receiving Enoxaparin: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) is commonly used as an antithrombotic in patients with reduced mobility. Its administration is performed by invasive technique (injections) that can cause pain: (1) Background: Pain and bruising are the most common side effects in patients treated with LMWH, but the skin phototype (PT) has never been included; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study, developed in the Hospital Unit of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery over one year. To classify all participants in the sample considering their skin PT and the different pain levels "during" and "after" the administration of enoxaparin. The STROBE checklist was used to evaluate the study. Data analyses were carried out: descriptive statistical analysis and analysis of Variance ANOVA of a non-parametric factor; (3) Results: The sample was 202 participants. The most frequent skin PTs were PT II 43.6% and PT III 33.2%. Mean pain after injection (1.96) was greater than pain during injection (1.4). Better natural protection against sunlight (high PT) would indicate greater post-injection pain; (4) Conclusions: Participants with a medium-high phototype (≥III) perceive a greater pain sensation than participants with a low phototype (≤II) after the administration of enoxaparin.

Situation of the Elderly Living Alone: Morbidity and Services Provided from the Field of Primary Health Care of Gran Canaria.

The elderly suffer a greater number of health problems and have greater need for assistance and care. (1) Background: to determine the profile of the elderly who live alone, identified according to the Primary Care Health Record of Gran Canaria, and to analyze the sociodemographic data of the target population and determine the characteristics related to morbidity. (2) Methods: descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study carried out in the Primary Health Care Management of Gran Canaria. The study population was all adults over 65 years of age living alone. The instrument used was the Drago-Electronic Health Record. Data analysis was carried out using RStudio version 1.1.447 software, and descriptive analysis and inferential analysis were carried out using the Chi-square values, T-test for independent samples, and ANOVA. (3) Results: The sample amounted to 8679 subjects, predominantly female sex (86.14%) and with a mean age of 79.4 years. Of the sample, 6.4% lived alone. Based on the classification by Adjusted Morbidity Groups (AMG), subjects with "moderate complications" predominated at 45.5%. (4) Conclusions: It is necessary to implement this type of stratification tool, which allows interventions to be carried out in elderly people at risk.

Factors which influence concordance among measurements obtained by different pulse oximeters currently used in some clinical situations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate both concordance among those measurements obtained by three different pulse oximeters currently used by nursing professionals in hospital units and the factors which can influence this concordance. BACKGROUND: Many models of wireless pulse oximeters in the present market do not offer possibility of calibration and, therefore, they do not ensure patients' safety in daily clinical practice. DESIGN: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample of patients (140) was selected from such hospital units, and all of them had to fulfil inclusion and exclusion criteria for participation. METHODS: The instruments used to carry out this research were a monitor (calibrated), two models of portable wireless pulse oximeters (used for 3 years by the nursing staff, without being calibrated), a tympanic thermometer and a weather meter. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used to establish the concordance, whereas the Landis-Koch criteria were used to interpret the results. RESULTS: The concordance among the three devices was considered as "good" (CCC: 0.925 and 0.974 (95%)). The CCC (0.925) for saturation measures was regarded as "very good"/"almost perfect," and the pulse measure was considered as "very good" CCC 0.974, providing in both cases a high level of concordance (CCC > 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: The overall concordance as regards pulse and oxygen saturation among the three pulse oximeters analysed is considered as "very good" according to the Landis-Koch criteria. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: There exists a "very good" concordance among two wireless oximeters which have been used by the health staff for 3 years and which did not offer any possibility of calibration and one monitor which belongs to the healthcare institution. This aspect is of crucial importance in daily clinical practice, and it is also relevant to ensure patient's safety.

Concordance among Measurements Obtained by Three Pulse Oximeters Currently Used by Health Professionals.

INTRODUCTION: Oxygen saturation is considered as the 5(th) vital sign. Presently, there exist fixed and wireless pulse oximeters, being the latter most widely used in the last years. Some of them have no possibility of calibration. This situation leads the health staff to adopt therapeutic attitudes which can be wrong. Therefore, it is extremely important to know if these wireless oximeters show a right concordance as regards measurements, since it is of great interest in daily clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate concordance among measurements obtained by three different pulse oximeters currently used by health professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study related to the concordance of the results obtained in measurements collected by three different pulse oximeters (one monitor and two wireless oximeters) which are available and in use in this hospital unit. The sample size calculation was performed for a concordance above 0.81 and an estimation error which did not exceed 0.20. The intraclass correlation index (ICI) was used to establish the concordance whereas the Landis-Koch criteria were used to interpret the results. Systematic errors were analyzed using the Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS: The overall concordance among the three pulse oximeters analyzed resulted in 0.88, a value considered as "good" according to the Landis-Koch criteria. CONCLUSION: The results obtained show that in daily clinical practice both wireless pulse oximeters analyzed can be used with a certain reliability, taking into account the limitations of this research.