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Monoplace Delivery System

Monthly Hyperbaric Safety Notice: January  2006

Light Damage to the Transcutaneous Electrode Membrane

Background

Transcutaneous monitoring is an important tool in the case management of several hyperbaric indications.  It is routinely employed during the treatment of ventilator-dependant patients.  Optimal handling of the sensor electrode is critical to the monitor’s performance and value of the information generated.

The Issue

Radiometer America, Inc., a manufacturer of transcutaneous monitors, has issued a product warning, dated February 21, 2005.  The warning notes that exposure of the combination tcpO2/tcpCO2 electrode membrane (E5280) to ultra violet light (other than transferring between the calibration chamber and the patient’s skin) will compromise the integrity of the pCO2 reading.

Bottom Line

Always keep a protection cap on the combination tcpO2/tcpCO2 electrode when it is not secured in the calibration chamber or when it is directly transferred to and from the patient’s skin and the calibration chamber.  Failure to do so will result in unstable measured values, or values out of range.

Contributing Author: Dick Clarke, CHT

Dick ClarkeDick is President of National Baromedical Services, which he founded in 1986. His previous background included service in the British Royal Navy, diving instructor and underwater photographer, assistant director of the seabed habitat 'HydroLab' and several years in the offshore commercial diving industry. Dick heads the Baromedical Research Foundation where he serves as Principal Investigator for several international clinical trials. He is course director for 'Primary Training in Hyperbaric Medicine' and the 'HBO 2000' series of advanced hyperbaric symposia. Dick has been a NOAA Diving Medical Officer Training Course faculty member since 1983. He pioneered the Certification in Hyperbaric Technology (CHT) program, is a past president of the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology and remains active at the committee level within the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.

Full Panel of Safety and Technical Correspondents

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