A Centralized Monitoring Approach to Pulse Oximetry for Patients on Opioids.

This article describes EvergreenHealth’s processes and lessons learned as it evolved toward centralized continuous monitoring of SpO 2 of patients on opioids. The main focus of this report is how EvergreenHealth implemented the first phase of its initiative, which included centralized continuous monitoring of postoperative patients on opioids (regardless of the route of administration) who yielded a score on the STOP-BAG checklist (a slightly altered version of the STOP-BANG) indicating a high risk for sleep apnea. Following the success of this effort, EvergreenHealth now continuously monitors all postoperative patients on opioids. EvergreenHealth is an integrated twohospital healthcare system that serves nearly one million residents in the greater Puget Sound region. The system includes a 318-bed acute care medical center in Kirkland, WA; a network of 10 primary care practices; two urgent care centers; more than two dozen specialty care practices; home care and hospice; and three emergency departments that are open 24/7.