Hi DIY. My first point would be to identify what the manual of the device you are testing states in relation to CO testing. Does it ask for a flow rate? Then identify what percentage the test gas is and see what it shows on the monitor. I have often used 5% CO with 0% balance as recommended by the monitor manufacturer which has a -/+ 1-2 tolerance. On another device i use a mixed gas test gas with a similar tolerance. What i want to see on both is a waveform but more importantly the percentage. I have not been trained to identify the flow rate and i will ask this question but i suspect its because most capno devices just run a simple pump and its purely dependent on the patients breath rather than a prescribed flow rate such as medical gases for inspiration purpose.
Out of interest is this a capnography device or anaesthetic gas bench? I agree that the manufacturer is wrong to say you just need a wave form as its not what the clinician is looking for, they are looking at percentage of volume of CO to ensure oxygen is being effective and exhalation is also effective. I have had trouble with reps and people on the phone from various manufacturers before, i have then got a copy of the manual to double check and if so then send them the text. Remember that manufacturer staff change but the manual often remains the same. Happy for you to private message me for more details and see if we can work this out.
