To the Editor

I’m in total agreement regarding the special need to hear the pulse beep tone for pulse oximetry during anesthesia. Anesthesiologists can testify to the importance of the pitch/saturation ratio (and to the fact that the “dive-bombing falling pitch” will never go unnoticed).

However, I’m always amazed that when I take a patient to the PACU, the nurses have turned off all “noise-makers” (is it to have a quiet place for the recovering patients?).

I have often asked them to turn the pulse oximetry beep tone on with my patients. I explain to them they can turn their backs on the patient and still hear the most important beep in the world.

I would like to suggest that the APSF institute a policy for the PACU which is identical to the OR.

Sincerely,

Heddy-Dale Matthias, MD
One Roses Bluff Parkway
Madison, MS 39110
601-856-7074