Alaris® EtCO2 module
Topic 7: Putting EtCO2 Monitoring into Practice

Page 6 of 13

Glossary

Resources

Back

Next

Menu

Exit

Troubleshooting: Respiratory Rate Counting Methods

  1. Recognized differences exist between impedance methods of monitoring and nasal cannula methods of monitoring respiratory rate.
     
  2. Nasal cannula methods measure as CO2 gas is exhaled from the nose/mouth.
     
  3. Impedance methods use ECG leads to measure chest wall movement. This method is difficult to detect shallow chest wall movement breathing.1-2
     
  4. If both methods are used to measure respiratory rate, a difference in displayed respiratory rate values may occur.2

 

1Vargo J., Zuccaro, Jr. G., et al. Automated graphic assessment of respiratory activity superior to pulse oximetry and visual assessment for the detection of early respiratory depression during therapeutic upper endoscopy. Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2002, 55(7):826-31.
2Capnography in the Management of the Critically Ill Patient, Education PAK for Critical Care and Procedural Sedation – A guide to Capnography, Oridion Medical (2004).