Remote pulse oximeters

LKN · #1 02-15-2006, 08:06 PM

We have your basic Nellcor pulse ox--we attach the sensor to Nathan's foot, plug him in, turn on the machine and hear the audible beeping...I love the audible beeping because I know exactly what all the sounds mean. My question is this: now that Nathan is getting older we'd love to move the machine out of his room so he can sleep without the beeping. I just can't imagine it's good to sleep with that constant beeping. I know he's used to it, but I want it out!! Do they ever give remote pulse oximeters to home health patients? In the hospital it was silent by his bed but it beeped at the nurses station. I don't want to run a big, long extension cord out of his room because I don't want him messing with it when he starts to move around more.

J&Jsmomee · #2 02-15-2006, 08:24 PM

Joel's pulse ox had volume control for the regular beeps, but would still alarm for low sats, high heart rate etc. I liked that because it would alert me when it was important and if I needed it to beep for any reason, I just turned to volume up. Does that make sense???

If you can't find a remote one, you might consider trying one of those.

twintotwin · #3 02-15-2006, 08:42 PM

Do you mean the pulse volume? We turn that down at night. Just hit the down arrow on the Nellcor. The actual alarm volume for any sats and pulse out of parameters will remain audible.

I hope that is what you mean. The pulse would drive us crazy with the twins, especially since we could never get them synchronized.

Ann · #4 02-15-2006, 08:47 PM

Same here ... I nix the "beeping". I'm only interested in the actual alarm if Jack's sats or heart rate fall below (or above) our set limits. It would drive me insane to hear the continuous beeping all night long. In my case, I find it difficult just to listen to the swoosh of the vent all night long -- although, it's amazing how tuned in you become to the thing and can tell when he is awake or if the vent is autocycling.

sandra · #5 02-15-2006, 09:31 PM

We turned the beeping down so we couldn't hear it. I couldn't handle that. We can still hear alarms.

I really want someone to invent a wireless pulse ox. A probe hooked on the patient, but no cord between the patient and the monitor.

Melisande · #6 02-16-2006, 08:44 AM

Amen, Sandra! Why can't they invent something like that? How about an implantible "chip" that could be inserted just under the skin that would do the same thing? Especially for our kids who have chronic problems, it would be too cool.

sassyangel4u2nv · #7 02-16-2006, 08:59 AM

There is a pulse ox that has no cords or anything to it.. The only thing is that it does not have a alarm. They are truly expensive and they are very handy. They sent us home with one but that was before Ericka got her trach so we can spot check her.