Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or irritants. It is a serious infection that fills the lungs with fluid, making it difficult to breathe.
When the lungs contain fluid it reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, which can have a negative effect on other organs such as the heart and brain. The
Joint Commission recommends blood oxygen level assessment for hospitalized persons with suspected pneumonia.
Blood oxygen is often checked first by using pulse oximetry (a small clip attached to the finger or earlobe). It is often necessary to collect arterial blood in addition to the pulse oximetry test; this test is called arterial blood gases or ABGs.
Arterial blood is checked for oxygen, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and acid base balance or pH. Timely blood oxygen assessment can lead to rapid treatment and improved patient outcomes. The American Thoracic Society (ATS) also endorses oxygenation assessment for routine diagnostic testing in patients with suspected pneumonia.
The most recent report (3rd Qtr., 2008), shows 100% of pneumonia patients at UAMS received blood oxygen assessment within 8 hours of admission compared with the national average of 99% and the average for University Healthsystem Consortium of 100%.
