Graduate nurses' knowledge of the functions and limitations of pulse oximetry

Pulse oximetry is a technology ubiquitous in its use in the modem clinical setting. While the technology's ability to accurately reflect hypoxaemia in patients has been established, its contribution to improving patient outcomes is less certain. In addition, experienced nurses have previously demonstrated poor understanding of the limitations of the technology. Pre-graduate education has been identified as a potential source of knowledge deficit and has been recommended by authors as an important target of investigation. This research examines nursing graduates' knowledge of the functions and limitations of pulse oximetry. A cross-sectional, comparative design was used. A previous published and validated tool was utilised with the addition of eight clinical scenario questions which were validated by an expert panel. Convenience sampling was used to select participants to form one cohort of newly graduated nurses (Cohort I: n = 21 0) and a second cohort of nurses who were completing their intensive post graduate clinical year (Cohort 2: n = 97). The research found significant deficits amongst graduate nurses relating to the theoretical factors that affect pulse oximetry application and interpretation. However, knowledge relating to more practical aspects of pulse oximetry utilisation was satisfactory. Results suggest some knowledge is negatively correlated with clinical experience and that some pre-graduate university education appears to influence the ability to translate pulse oximetry knowledge to clinical scenarios. This research provides insight into pulse oximetry knowledge deficits amongst graduate nurses and points to correlational factors that may affect knowledge acquisition amongst this cohort. In particular the research provides evidence that some pulse oximetry knowledge and clinical application of knowledge is not enhanced by clinical experience but rather, is enhanced through some pre-graduate experiences. These findings may help to inform pre and post-graduate nurse education in regards to pulse oximetry utilisation and interpretation.