The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) states that respiratory rate is the most sensitive marker of a deteriorating patient and the first commonly observed indication of a problem.¹ In addition, the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) recommends continuous oxygenation and ventilation monitoring for all patients receiving opioid-based pain medications.² However, current methods of respiration rate monitoring may be limited by shortcomings related to accuracy and patient tolerance.^3,4

rainbow Acoustic Monitoring^® is a noninvasive and continuous method of monitoring respiratory rate in post-operative patients that has the benefit of higher patient compliance.^5,6 A Respiratory Acoustic Sensor applied to the patient’s neck – such as the small, lightweight RAS-45 – detects acoustic signals produced by turbulent airflow in the upper airway that occurs during inhalation and exhalation. Signal processing algorithms convert the acoustic patterns into breath cycles to calculate respiratory rate, which is displayed as a continuous RRa^® measurement and real-time acoustic waveform on Masimo Pulse CO-Oximeters^®.

While Masimo offers capnography solutions, rainbow Acoustic Monitoring may be more appropriate for some patients.

Two separate studies found that Masimo SET^® pulse oximeters detected approximately 10 times more true events than other “Next Generation” pulse oximeters studied.^7,8 In another study comparing the ability of three pulse oximetry technologies to detect hypoxic events, Masimo SET^® pulse oximetry demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity during induced conditions of motion and low perfusion.⁹

In addition to respiratory rate and pulse oximetry, Masimo also offers solutions for brain function monitoring and cerebral oximetry.

As in the ICU, in the PACU subjective assessments of brain function may be unobtainable while patients are weaned from anesthesia and sedation.¹⁰ Next Generation SedLine^® brain function monitoring may be useful in helping clinicians assess the sedation state of the brain, with the bilateral acquisition and processing of four leads of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Next Generation SedLine features an enhanced signal processing engine, driving a variety of performance improvements, and an enhanced Multitaper Density Spectral Array (DSA).

Next Generation SedLine can be used simultaneously with O3^® regional oximetry on the Root^® platform for a more complete picture of the brain during patient recovery. O3 may help clinicians monitor cerebral oxygenation of adult and pediatric patients in situations in which pulse oximetry alone may not be fully indicative of the oxygen in the brain.

Masimo’s oxygenation and perioperative monitoring solutions are available together on Root, a highly customizable, expandable patient monitoring and connectivity platform that occupies a minimal footprint in the PACU. Compact yet powerful, Root provides multiple high-impact, innovative measurements on a single platform, providing clinicians with more information in one place.

Iris Gateway™ and Iris^® ports in Root facilitate automated data transfer from Root and multiple standalone third-party monitors — such as IV pumps, ventilators, and anesthesia machines – to hospital EMRs, which may reduce the likelihood of transcription errors¹¹ or incomplete case records.