A cross-sectional study in three German hospitals regarding oxygen therapy characteristics

Background Oxygen (O2) therapy is one of the most commonly applied medications in German hospitals and rescue services. Both hypoxemia and hyperoxemia can be associated with complications. There is currently a lack of reliable data on the use, documentation and surveillance of O2-therapy in German hospitals. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on the use of O2 in three hospitals in Hannover, Germany. Results Of 343 patients included in this study, 20 % received O2 therapy. Twenty-nine percent of patients receiving O2 were at increased risk for hypercapnia. A standard operating procedure (SOP) for O2 therapy was available in only 68 % of patients. In 22 % patients the applied O2-therapy was appropriate in the context of the documented vital parameters. A complete documentation of vital parameters was conducted in only 30 % of all patients and 41 % of patients receiving O2-therapy. A surveillance of O2-therapy using capillary or arterial blood gas analysis was performed in 76 % of patients. Here, 64 % of patients showed normoxemia, 17 % showed hyperoxemia and 19 % of patients showed hypoxemia. The only identifiable predictor for an adequate O2-therapy was a previous invasive ventilation. Discussion Our data point towards and inadequate prescription, application and documentation of O2 therapy. The recently released German S3-guideline should be used to increase awareness among physicians and nursing staff regarding the use of O2-therapy to improve O2 therapy and consequently patient safety.

Automated summary

Background Oxygen therapy is widely used in German hospitals and rescue services, but there is a lack of reliable data on its use, documentation, and surveillance. In a study conducted in three hospitals in Hannover, Germany, it was found that 20% of patients received oxygen therapy, with 29% of them at risk of hypercapnia. Only 68% of patients had a standard operating procedure for oxygen therapy, and only 22% received appropriate therapy based on documented vital parameters. Complete documentation of vital parameters was conducted in only 30% of all patients and 41% of patients receiving oxygen therapy.