Impact of Skin Color on SpO2 Detection of Hypoxemia

Webinar Summary

Recent evidence reveals that pulse oximetry devices can overestimate arterial oxygen saturation among racial and ethnic minorities with darker skin pigmentation. This inaccurate data can lead clinicians to miss or delay identification of hypoxemia, which in turn may contribute to delayed implementation of effective treatments. While we expect the healthcare industry is working to improve pulse oximetry devices, that will take some time. In the meantime, how do you ensure appropriate recognition of hypoxemia and provide safe care for your vulnerable patients?

This webinar will help you understand the technology of pulse oximetry and how skin pigmentation can impact the results. You will learn how this inaccurate SpO2 data affects patient care and what you can do to optimize care for darker-skinned patients. Webinar content includes clinical assessments you can use to help gain a realistic understanding of your patient’s condition.

Objectives

Briefly describe how pulse oximetry works and what it can/ can’t tell you about your patient.
Identify the patients who are at risk of pulse oximetry overestimating their oxygenation level.
List the clinical assessment findings of hypoxemia to help provide a more complete interpretation of a patient’s condition.

Presenter

John Gallagher, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN, TCRN, CHSE, RRT, FAAN, FCCM

John Gallagher is a professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Gallagher’s career includes positions as a staff nurse and CNS in diverse clinical settings, including trauma resuscitation and surgical ICU, the emergency department and the pulmonary step-down unit. He is also a registered respiratory therapist and former paramedic.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for 1.00 contact hours.

Disclosure

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.