Capnography

Re: Capnography

Rhiannon Hutton — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:34:08 GMT

Thanks! Will give them a ring tomorrow!

Re: Capnography

dinkyd — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:51:25 GMT

Only other thing i can suggest is that if it is a multiparameter machine is that when you sent it off to be serviced etc could you check they calibrated the capnograph - this was the problem with ours but we had the opposite problem in that the capnograph was always giving low readings!You cant do the calibration in house as they use a special gas that due to h&s cant be carried around.In a nutshell give whoever servied it a call ask them if it was calibrated with the special gas- if not would certainly ask why not due to it just being serviced as this should have been done.Good luck!

Bloody capnograph was driving me up the wall as i knew it wasnt working but no one else figured out there was a problem with it.Rep was useless cause he thought that just because it was picking up a trace it was working and it was fine!After much nagging it is now working lovely!

Re: Capnography

Rhiannon Hutton — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 22:56:59 GMT

The baseline is not elevated and it has been doing the same think with lack/t-piece circuits. Always calculate the flow rates so hopefully that should be ok.

I've been getting so frustrated with it! Its unfortunately one of those things that was bought a few years ago but no-one really had any training on so I've kinda been trying to teach myself!

I will have a look into whether it has a mini soda lime canister! It is a multiparameter machine. I sent it off to be serviced/repaired in the hope that it was a fault so was dissapointed to still be having the same problem! Just noticed today that the thermometer part of the machine that was supposed to have been fixed is still not working so starting to doubt whether it has been properly looked at!

Thanks!

Re: Capnography

dinkyd — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 21:54:36 GMT

We just recently found out that ours had a mini soda lime canister in it - may be that it is exhausted- i will add the rep didnt even know this he had actually found this out from a nurse from another practice- we were having problems with our capnograph and had lots of bits replaced etc!May be worth checking this out-is it a multiparameter machine?

TBH we not impressed with this well known company at the mo but thats a different topic lol!

Re: Capnography

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 22:00:23 GMT

I was always taught that it should look like a elephant that has been swallowed by a snake!

Have you checked your inspired levels of CO2? Is the base line elevated? this could indicate rebreathing which could be caused by too low flow rates and exhausted soda lime.

any other questions feel free to ask

Re: Capnography

Rhiannon Hutton — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:30:20 GMT

We seem to find that every patient that we use the capnograph on has a high ETCO2 (usually 60-80mmHg). The capnogram otherwise is usually relatively normal and RR is fine. I have used it with various circuits, using sidestream and mainstream measurements and the monitor has just come back from being serviced (the technician thought it could be water damage so he replaced the whole attachment but that has made no difference!). There are no heavy instruments and it still reads high when the patient is recieving 100% O2 without Iso.

Am I doing something wrong or am I just obsessing over numbers? I was always taught that the shape of the capnogram is the most important thing but I'm getting frustrated because I dont understand why Its always high!

Re: Capnography

Virginia Crossett — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:44:08 GMT

Muddypaws - this is an excellent article. Thanks!

Re: Capnography

Muddypaws — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:03:01 GMT

There are some good articles on capnography on the Vetronics website:

http://www.vetronic.co.uk/downloads/articles/t3regk4jA_quick_guide_to_CO2_measurement_in_animals.pdf

Re: Capnography

sisterscope1 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:02:36 GMT

Have a look at www.capnography.com , great website, lots of info.

Re: Capnography

Kay Eminson — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:49:46 GMT

The most important thing is that it should measure 0mmHg CO2 on inspiration and around 35mmhg on expiration

Re: Capnography

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:32:41 GMT

You should contact the manufacture and ask for a booklet, even better some training. Some you can change the parameters on at either end and you need to know if it is an error, is it sitting right in the mouth or is there "gas" escaping round the side. Also need to know what the correct graph looks like so that will also give you an idea of what's happening.

It is crazy that bosses spend money on toys then do not do the training they may as well tear the money up and flush it down the loo.