%0 Journal Article
%T Acute Oxygen Therapy: An Audit of Prescribing and Delivery Practices in the Medical Wards at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Pretoria, Gauteng
%A E. A. Akazie
%A M. J. Mpe
%J Open Journal of Respiratory Diseases
%P 75-82
%@ 2163-9418
%D 2022
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojrd.2022.123007
%X <b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Background</span></b><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">:</span></b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> Oxygen is a commonly used drug in modern medical
care. It has biochemical actions, safe dosage ranges, adverse physiologic
effects and can be toxic at high doses and prolonged use. As a drug, it needs a
formal prescription prior to administration. The prescription needs to meet
certain basic minimums for appropriateness and safety. </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Objectives</span></b></span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">:</span></b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> The aim of the study was to assess the standards of
prescriptions for oxygen therapy amongst admitted medical patients at the Dr.
George Mukhari Academic Hospital. </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Materials and Methods</span></b></span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">:</span></b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> It was a cross-sectional study of 159 acutely ill
medical admissions who received supplemental oxygen. The medication charts of
patients on oxygen were audited; with regards to the availability and/or
adequacy of the prescription for oxygen. </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Results</span></b></span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">:</span></b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> Of the one hundred and fifty nine patients on
oxygen only 43 (27%) had an actual prescription for oxygen written. The target
oxygen saturation was specified in 19 (44%) cases. The device for oxygen
delivery was specified in 21 (49%) patients and just over half of the patients
(56%) had flow rates indicated on their charts. </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Conclusion:</span></b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> The practice
of oxygen administration in our medical wards was sub-optimal. The audit
highlights the need for education and training in acute oxygen therapy.
%K Oxygen
%K Targets
%K Devices
%K Flow Rates
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=119125