Perioperative oxygen saturation levels of pediatric patients.

Airway compromise is of immediate concern for any patient after surgery but more so for pediatric patients because they are subject to more acute airway changes than adults. The purpose of this study was to identify those pediatric post-surgical patients in an acute care setting at risk for oxygen saturation less than 90% during transport from the OR to the PACU. A descriptive, correlational design was employed using a convenience sample of 45 male and female pediatric patients between the ages of 0 months and 16 years who underwent elective surgery with general anesthesia lasting longer than 1 hour. Data were collected on each pediatric subject at four points in time (1) in the preoperative holding area (2) in the OR, (3) during transport to the PACU, and (4) on arrival to and during the stay in the PACU. Results showed that more than 50% of the sample (N = 45) desaturated to oxygen levels below 95%. Specifically, 48% desaturated between 90% to 95% and 8% desaturated below 90%. Pediatric patients age 2 years and younger showed the greatest risk for desaturation below 90%. In addition, as transport time increased, the number of subjects with oxygen saturation levels below 95% increased.