“I understand why it is a good idea to screen for Critical Congenital Heart Disease, but what is pulse oximetry screening, and how, when and where will this screening test be done?“
Click below for basic facts about pulse oximetry screening. If you have questions that are not answered here, or if you would like more information about this screen, please ask your medical care provider or contact the Wisconsin SHINE Project.
Pulse Oximetry Screening: Basic Facts (Click to expand)
All babies born in Wisconsin should be screened for Critical Congenital Heart Disease, including babies admitted to the NICU and babies born outside the hospital.
Pulse oximetry is a painless and non-invasive way to measure the amount of oxygen in blood. Light is passed through the skin and measured by a sensor to determine the percent oxygen saturation. Babies with an abnormally low oxygen saturation in their blood will need further testing for critical congenital heart disease.
| Pass | Pulse oximetry reading greater than 95% in either hand or foot and difference between hand and foot <= 3% is an immediate pass and no further testing is needed. |
|---|---|
| Fail | Pulse oximetry reading less than 90% anywhere anytime is an immediate fail and baby requires further evaluation. |
| Repeat | If the pulse oximetry reading is between 90-94% in right hand AND foot or if there is >3% difference between two sites the screen will be repeated one hour later. At the repeat screen the baby can pass, fail, or require one more repeat screen an hour later. After the third screen the baby must either pass or fail. Pulse oximetry between 90-94% in right hand AND foot or >3% difference between two sites on the third screen is considered a fail. |
