Knowledge on pulse oximetry among pediatric health care professionals: a multicenter survey.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge on pulse oximetry among health care professionals involved in pediatric care. METHODS A multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed to 505 pediatric health care professionals from 19 hospitals and health centers throughout Greece. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify underlying factors that could explain most of the variance of the responses. The mean test and factor scores were calculated and compared between clinical settings. RESULTS The mean test score was 61.9+/-18.1%. After factor analysis, 2 distinct groups of deficits in knowledge regarding pulse oximetry were identified: 1 was interpreted as relating to practical knowledge and the other to theoretical knowledge. The mean score of the items that assessed practical knowledge was 82.7+/-12.5% and of those that assessed theoretical knowledge was 44.2+/-21.7%. Pediatricians and family practitioners, participants from level 3 institutions, and health care professionals working in ICUs scored better, particularly on the items that assessed theoretical knowledge. Logistic regression analysis revealed that only participants from level 3 institutions and those from ICUs had a greater likelihood of achieving a higher score (total score odds ratio: level 3, 2.89, ICU, 8.13; theoretical knowledge odds ratio: level 3, 3.40, ICU, 10.95). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric health care professionals have marked deficiencies in their knowledge on pulse oximetry, particularly in regard to the principles underlying the method and its limitations. Strategies that are directed at improving knowledge on pulse oximetry are urgently needed at all levels of experience in pediatric care.