Implementation of an electronic data monitoring system decreases the rate of hyperoxic episodes in premature neonates

Objective:To determine whether an electronic data surveillance system, or Data Sniffer (DS), could reduce the rate of hyperoxic episodes (HEs) among premature neonates being managed by a standardized respiratory treatment protocol (RTP).Study Design:A total of 86 infants born at <29 weeks of gestation were included in the study. The rates of HEs were compared among four epochs (E) as follows: E1: no RTP, no DS; E2:with RTP, no DS; E3: with RTP, with DS; E4: with RTP, no DS.Result:After implementing the RTP in E2, the rate of HEs was 44% lower than that of E1. Activating the DS in E3 further reduced HEs by 26%, whereas its deactivation in E4 resulted in a rebound in HEs to baseline rates; P<0.0001 for each comparison.Conclusion:The implementation of an electronic data monitoring system was associated with less frequent episodes of hyperoxia among premature neonates.