EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Nonin Onyx II Pulseoximeter

Has anyone had any experience of these devices? I have had a request from a Physiotherapist to use one of these with patients undergoing rehabilitation, and particularly looking at sats during exercise regimes.

My concern is with accuracy, calibration and artefact rejection and how we can check these - I do not appear to be able to get any technical data other than basic specification. Is there anywhere I can get more technical information?

I am sure these devices have there place, but I am sceptical of their use in the acute environment.

Any comments gratefully received.

Thanks

We've had these and other 'finger probes'. Whilst they were in service their accuarcy was good and the build quality was as good as could be expected for a small item.
The 'trouble' is their size - they're easily dropped and they go 'walkies'.
We didn't get to the chance to worry about calibration/ppm/reliability as they've all disappeared - nicked, lost or gone in the laundry.
They were purchased against our better judgement - we knew that they'd 'walk'...obviously.

Cheers
Mark

Sounds like a case of "letting your fingers do the walking", Mate? Hasn't Taunton got RF ID tagging yet, then (although I guess these things would be too small for that, eh? One of the problems with the much-lauded RF ID thing, perhaps)?

Morning Geoff,

We haven't had a serious look at RF tagging but we're keeping an ear to the ground.

This small kit like the Nonin is great technology/design but it really ought to come with a ball and chain attached.

Some staff think that any kit smaller than a 50ml syringe driver can only be cheap and throw-away??

Cheers
Mark

Thanks Mark

I am reliably informed that the Physios would have these rounds their necks on a lanyard!

The proposed use will involve patients with poor perfusion and there will be the potential for motion artefact, my particular concern as previously stated is with calibration/ppm checks. Many years ago I had to produce ppm service data for a legal case involving a pulse oximeter, this we did and everything was in order - I wonder if that would be the case if same were to happen again with one of these devices? I can easliy imagine some legal eagle asking the question "So you had your concerns regarding this device for this particular application and still let the Trust purchase it?"


If there is any service information available I would be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Mark

Morning Mark,

This supplier offers good info on this product - http://www.proactmedical.co.uk/cat/01/03onyx9550.htm.

As you can see, a 3 year warranty which covers breakdown and calibration issues. So, 3 years peace of mind. If it breaks after that, replace it.

Proact have told me that the majority of the problems related to this item are due to cheap batteries being used.

Cheers
Mark

May I suggest that any bit of kit about which the biomeds had expressed doubts (but was still purchased anyway), should immediately be placed on the Trust’s “Risk Register”? Why should you have to defend it, if you were against it from the start? It seems that you just can’t be too careful in CYA in these modern Nanny State times!

Thanks guys - I will follow up your suggestion Mark.

Geoff - we do have a final say in the equipment purchased, we have a standard list of equipment, (for general ward areas), that has already jumped through the hoops of evaluation, ppq forms, infection control/decontamination etc. Any specialist equipment not on the standard list is initially assessed clinically by the clinical staff and then the other prerequisites are applied as described above.

Thanks again


Mark