White Paper • January 2011 Nonin Medical’s Durable Disposable Pulse Oximetry Sensor Results in Significant Cost Savings and Increased Staff Efficiency Ryan Ward, CRT, RRT Clinical Manager Respiratory Care Department, Benedictine Health Center of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN Abstract: This was a prospective study designed to assess the durability and caregiver satisfaction of two models of new Durafoam Disposable pulse oximetry sensors from Nonin Medical. The study was conducted at a long-term care facility that performs continuous, multi-day respiratory monitoring for patients on ventilator care or oxygen therapy. Ten patients were each monitored continuously for at least 30 days. Sensors were replaced as was determined necessary by the caregiver. Sensor use duration and durability were assessed throughout the study. Caregivers were surveyed to assess ease of use, efficiency, fit and patient acceptance. Results: The new Nonin 6500 Durafoam Disposable Sensors designed for extended monitoring were found to be extremely durable, lasting an average 14 days, while improving caregiver efficiencies. All of the sensors lasted more than seven days and 12% lasted 21 days or more. Conversion from traditional disposable sensors to the new sensor would result in an astounding 88% reduction in sensor costs, or an estimated per day cost of just under two dollars per patient. Additional advantages included ease of use, comfort for the patient and breathability of the materials. The sensors were well-received by the caregivers and would be recommended for use by 94% of those surveyed. INTRODUCTION Continuous oxygen saturation monitoring is considered to be an industry standard in vital signs monitoring of patients. Conventional disposable pulse oximeters are designed to be used for continuous monitoring and are attached with a medical-grade adhesive. Applying the sensors can be timeconsuming and the adhesives can be problematic for some patients who have compromised skin integrity. Our hypothesis was that a new sensor designed for extended wear, the Durafoam Disposable Sensor by Nonin Medical, would reduce material costs associated with long-term oximetry monitoring and enhance the quality of patient care. The pulse oximetry sensors in this study, Nonin’s Model 6500SA and 6500MA, are single-patient use, disposable sensors indicated for continuous monitoring of adult and pediatric patients weighing more than 30 kg. The sensor is designed to be durable and provide extended, multi-day monitoring. The construction consists of a flexible wire core encased in soft foam material which conforms to the finger when applied, eliminating the need for adhesives, while providing easy removal and reapplication. 6500SA METHODS This was a prospective study designed to assess the durability and caregiver satisfaction of two models of the new Durafoam Disposable pulse oximetry sensors. The study was conducted at Benedictine Health Center of Minneapolis (BHCM), a long-term-acute rehabilitation facility. BHCM is 110 bed facility, with 120 clinical care employees. The patient care ratio is 6 to 1 on average throughout the facility. 6500MA Nonin tabletop pulse oximeters (7500 or 9600) were used in conjunction with the sensors. The Nonin Onyx® II 9550 fingertip oximeters were available for spot-checking and verification of sensor placement as needed. Ten adult patients who were ventilator-dependent or receiving oxygen therapy and required continues pulse oximetry monitoring were enrolled and monitored for at least 30 days (range: 30 to 37 days) using the new

White Paper • January 2011 Durafoam sensors. Patients were initially fit with either the 6500SA or 6500MA sensor. Sensors were replaced as was determined necessary by the caregiver. The sensor models were alternated to allow both caregivers and patients to experience both sensors. Patients included males and female adults (age 18 or older), with varying skin color. Date and time of sensor application and disposal and reason for sensor replacement were recorded to determine length of sensor use and durability. Caregivers were surveyed at the conclusion of the study to assess ease of use, efficiency,...

Nonin Medical’s Durable Disposable Pulse Oximetry Sensor Results in Significant Cost Savings and Increased Staff Efficiency Alternatively, one can consider the per day cost of disposables for the two options. For traditional disposables that are replaced each day, individual per sensor cost equates to the daily costs, in this case, $15. For the Nonin 6500 sensors, the per day cost is calculated as the list price divided by the median use duration, resulting in an estimated per day cost of less than two dollars. Further savings are realized in the application time. Caregivers report a significant...

Nonin Medical’s Durable Disposable Pulse Oximetry Sensor Results in Significant Cost Savings and Increased Staff Efficiency odor. So, although the sensor is used for multiple days, odor was not an issue. Caregivers compared the odor after seven days of using the Durafoam sensor to two hours of adhesive disposable sensors. An RN with experience in an acute care facility noted that the “comfort and softness would be seen as positive in an ICU setting”. The design form of the sensor eliminates the need for adhesives, which is likely to have also contributed to the cleanliness. More importantly,...