Audit of oxygen prescribing in a children's hospital

Aim To audit oxygen prescribing in a children's hospital following the introduction of a new paediatric medication chart, which incorporates an oxygen prescription section. Method In June 2015 a 1-day snapshot audit was carried out across all wards in the children's hospital. All patients receiving oxygen on that day were included: ▸ The audit was repeated in July 2015. ▸ The standards for the audit were set at 100% in accordance with our local guidelines.1 ▸ All patients receiving oxygen should have a prescription. Of these: ▸ All patients should have target saturations identified. ▸ All patients should have an administration device identified. ▸ All patients should have a nurse signature on the chart within the last 12 hrs. Results In June, 13 patients were receiving oxygen on the audit day. 0/14 had a prescription. In July, 18 patients were receiving oxygen on the audit day. (14 critical care, 4 medicine). 4/18 had an oxygen prescription (22%). These were all medical patients. Of these, 4 patients had a target saturation identified (100%), 1 had a device prescribed (25%), and 4 had a nurse signature within the last 12 hrs (100%). Conclusion The initial audit showed no compliance with either local or national guidance for oxygen prescribing.1 ,2 The re-audit showed improved prescribing on the medical wards but not within critical care. The new paediatric medication chart was launched early in 2015, along with a training package for doctors, nurses and pharmacists. This was in response to the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) rapid response report on oxygen safety in hospitals.