Description of Event or Problem · 1
WHILE TREATING A PATIENT OF A SUSPECTED OPIOID OVERDOSE WITH RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, THE O-TWO SMART BAG WITH AN ADULT VENTILATION TIMER LIGHT WAS USED TO BREATH FOR THE PATIENT. DURING THE COURSE OF CARE THE PARAMEDIC PROVIDING VENTILATIONS NOTICED THE ADULT VENTILATION TIMING LIGHT WAS BLINKING AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THAT STATED ON THE DEVICE. THEY DESCRIBED IT AS ABOUT 20-24 BLINKS/MINUTE. THE DEVICE IS LABELED F - 10/MIN. THIS TIMING LIGHT IS ACTIVATED TO GUIDE THE PERSON PROVIDING THE PATIENT VENTILATIONS TO BREATH AT A RATE APPROPRIATE FOR ADULTS. IN THIS CASE THE LIGHT WAS BLINKING AT A RATE CONSISTENT WITH A PEDIATRIC PATIENT. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS ACTIVATED DURING CARDIAC ARREST THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT AN ADULT PATIENT IS VENTILATED AT A FASTER RATE THAN RECOMMENDED. THIS IS A LARGE RISK BECAUSE HYPERVENTILATING PATIENTS DURING ARREST REDUCES THE EFFICACY OF COMPRESSIONS DURING CPR.