Knowledge levels of intensive care nurses regarding usage of Pulse Oximetry in a university hospital in Turkey

Aim: Pulse oximetry has become one of the most commonly used tools in the clinical environment for assessing patients' oxygenation status. To determine the knowledge levels of intensive care nurses in relation to usage and fundamental principles of pulse oximetry. Materials and methods: The research was conducted as a descriptive study in intensive care units of a university hospital in Ankara. The data were collected using a questionnaire. The study was completed with 72 intensive care nurses. The percentage, mean and chi-square tests were used for the analysis of data. Results: % 59.7 of nurses had gained their initial knowledge regarding the usage of pulse oximetry informally at the clinic. % 48.6 of nurses did not have adequate training regarding oximetry. Most of the nurses stated that the best place for the application of the pulse oximetry was the index finger of the hand. The nurses' answers regarding the clinical scenario demonstrated that most nurses did not have adequate knowledge regarding first aid to be applied to the hypoxic patient. Conclusions: The results stated the importance of topics regarding usage and fundamental principles of pulse oximetry during basic nursing education and continuing education programs. The results of the study connected with pulse oximetry must distribute to all nurses.