This is a Best Practice Initiative for monitoring patients on Narcotic PCAs to provide safer care.
• It is called End Tidal CO2 (EtCO2) monitoring system or Capnography
monitoring.
• This technology continuously measures End Tidal CO2, which is used as a marker of oversedation in patients on opioids. The machines have the capability to alarm and possibly to stop the delivery of the opioids in the event of decreased alveolar ventilation as measured by a decreased respiratory rate or a rise in the End Tidal CO2.
• It is measured by having the patient wear a special nasal cannula connected to the Alaris module.
• This monitoring will require both the Alaris PCA Module and the Alaris EtCO2 Module.
Who will be receiving this care?
• All adult inpatients (patients 18 and over).
• Patients who are on PCAs.
• Patients who are not in a critical care area (this excludes ICU/CCU/TSDU).
• Patients in ED and PACU.
When does it start?
• Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 7 a.m.
Who do I contact if I need assistance?
• Medical questions can be directed to Mark Angelo, MD, at angelo-mark@cooperhealth.edu.
• Logistical questions can be directed to Karen Slutsky at slutsky-karen@cooperhealth.edu.
• Training questions can be directed to the Unit Clinical Educators or Unit Super Users.
Will other populations eventually be included in this monitoring?
Future populations that will be incrementally added after this initial phase include:
• Pediatric patients (need to establish the alarm parameters before we can move to this population).
• Moderate Sedation.
• Epidural PCA – criteria to be established.
• IV push pain medications – criteria to be developed.
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