Evaluation of the impact of oximeter averaging times on automated FiO(2) control in routine NICU care: a randomized cross-over study

OBJECTIVE: Changes in oximeter averaging times have been noted to affect alarm settings. Automated algorithms (A-FiO(2)) assess FiO(2) faster than oximeter averaging, potentially impacting their effectiveness. METHODS: In a single NICU routinely using 15 fabian-PRICO A-FiO(2) systems, neonates were randomly exposed to SpO(2) averaging time settings switched every 12 h among short (2–4 s), medium (10 s), and long (16 s) oximeter averaging times for the entire duration of their A-FiO(2) exposure. Primary endpoints were the percent time in the set SpO(2) target range (dependent on PMA), SpO(2 )< 80%, and SpO(2 )> 98%, excluding FiO(2) = 0.21. RESULTS: Ten VLBW neonates were enrolled over 11 months. At entry, they were 17 days old (IQR: 14–19), with an adjusted gestational age of 29 weeks (IQR: 27–30). The study included data from 272 days of A-FiO(2) control (34% short, 32% medium, and 34% long). Respiratory support was predominantly non-invasive (53% NCPAP, 40% HFNC, and 6% NIPPV). The aggregate SpO(2) exposure levels were 67% (IQR: 55–82) in the target range, 5.4% (IQR: 2.0–10) with SpO(2 )< 80%, and 1.2% (IQR: 0.4–3.1) with SpO(2 )> 98%. There were no differences in the target range time between the SpO(2) averaging time settings. There were differences at the SpO(2) extremes (p ≤ 0.001). The medium and long averaging were both lower than the short, with the difference larger than predicted. Multivariate analysis revealed that these findings were independent of subject, ventilation mode, target range, and overall stability. CONCLUSIONS: This A-FiO(2) algorithm is effective regardless of the SpO(2) averaging time setting. There is an advantage to the longer settings, which suggest an interaction with the controller.