Connecting The Spo; Fingerclip Sensor - Welch Allyn Atlas Operator's Manual

6.2 Connecting the SpO

The SpO fingerclip sensor provides the means to take the oximetry and pulse readings. Clip the fingerclip
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sensor to the patient, making sure it is in the correct orientation. Connect the sensor to the monitor. The
sensors come in sizes for adult and child. A range of sensors are available to attach to the patient's
finger, toe, nose, forehead, or ear.
Fingerclip sensors – Pulse and oximetry are
measured from a fingerclip sensor. There are
several sizes of fingerclip sensors, and they
come in both reusable and disposable styles.
Sensors come in sizes for adults and children.
There are also sensors available that use the toes,
forehead, ear or nose as the measurement sites.
To obtain optimal performance, use an
appropriate sensor and apply it as described in
the sensor's directions for use.
Connecting – Clip the sensor to the patient's
finger. Make sure the cable to the sensor is
attached properly to the SpO
Warning
: Do not place the fingerclip sensor on
an arm that is also being used for blood
pressure monitoring. Blood pressure cuff
inflation during SpO
cause inaccurate SpO
alarms.
Note: Avoid excessive ambient light, which can
affect sensor performance, by keeping the
fingerclip sensor and sensor site covered with
an opaque material.
Note: Prolonged use of the pulse oximetry probe
may require you to change the location of the
probe. Move it to another finger every few
hours. Monitor skin condition and circulation
in the finger. Refer to the directions for use
provided with each sensor for specific
instructions on application and use.
Note: If you fail to see any SpO
Plethysmograph readings, check that you
have properly inserted the sensor into the
Atlas monitor.
Note: Older style Nellcor™ sensors and extension cables

Fingerclip Sensor

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connector.
2
measurement will
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results and false
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or
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are not compatible with the connector on the
Nellcor™ option with motion tolerance, and must not
be plugged into it. However, new style Nellcor™
sensors and extension cables can be used with all
Nellcor options, and can be plugged into either the
old or new style connectors. The new style sensor
and connectors are illustrated below.
Cable
DEC-8
Performance factors –Many factors may
degrade the performance of the pulse oximeter,
as indicated by a lowered rise of the
Plethysmograph display (next to SpO
These include:
• Excessive ambient light, particularly
fluorescent light.
• Excessive patient movement.
• Excessive duration on one finger.
• Cold hands/digits or hypothermia.
• Electrosurgical interference.
• Arterial catheters, blood pressure and fusion
lines.
• Moisture in the sensor.
• Improperly attached sensor.
• Incorrect sensor for the patient.
• Poor patient perfusion.
• Venous pulsations.
• Anemia or low hemoglobin concentrations.
• Cardiovascular dyes, such as methylene blue.
• Fingernail polish.
Strongly pigmented skin.
•
• Arterial occlusion proximal to the sensor.
Hypotension.
•
• Severe vasoconstriction.
• Cardiac arrest or shock
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Sensor
Notch
display).
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Notch