GE ApexPro Operator's Manual page 135

Pediatric patients and pulse oximetry
Signal and data validity
Signal strength indicator
2001989-200E
WARNING
The display of inaccurate pulse oximetry (SpO2) values has been
linked to the presence of poor signal strength or artifact due to
patient motion during signal analysis. This condition is most likely
to be encountered when the equipment is used on pediatric patients.
These same conditions in adults do not impact the SpO2 values to
the same extent.
When using pulse oximetry on pediatric patients, always observe the
following precautions.
Precautions
We recommend the application of the following criteria when using the pulse
oximetry function on pediatric patients:
1. The peripheral pulse rate (PPR) as determined by the SpO2 function must be
within 10% of the heart rate, and
2. the SpO2 signal strength indicator must have 2 or 3 asterisks displayed, and
3. stable SpO2 values are displayed for six seconds.
Procedures or devices previously applied in your facility for SpO2 monitoring should
be used in the event that the SpO2 value from the equipment cannot be validated by
the above criteria.
CAUTION
Do not use the Apex or Xpod oximeter on neonatal patients. It is not
designed for use on neonates.
It is extremely important to determine that the probe is attached to the patient
correctly and the data is verifiable. To make this determination, the signal strength
indicators on the CIC Pro center, Apex oximeter device, and Dinamap Pro monitors
are of assistance.
A signal strength (perfusion) indicator is displayed on the Apex oximeter display and
at the CIC Pro center in the appropriate patient window.
On the Apex oximeter, this indicator is a perfusion LED that blinks with each SpO2
pulse detected. The LED blinks green for each acceptable strength pulse. It blinks
yellow for SpO2 signals of marginal quality, and blinks red when the SpO2 signal is
too weak or the quality is very poor. When the perfusion LED blinks red, the numeric
data displayed on the Apex oximeter will be replaced by dashes within 10 seconds.
ApexPro™
Viewing real-time patient data
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