Almost all patients in critical care have their observations continuously recorded. Below is a colour coded guide based on the monitor display you'll see within critical care.

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ECG

Continuous cardiac telemetry which allows assessment of heart rate and detection of life threatening arrythmias.

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Pulse oximetry

A non-invasive and indirect measurement of percentage oxygen saturation of a patient's blood. Works on the principle that oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood absorb differential amounts of red and infrared light.

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Arterial Line

An arterial line is a thin cannula inserted into an artery, which is connected to a pressurised column of saline. A pressure transducer detects the kinetic energy produced by cardiac contraction and the blood pressure (plus a graphical waveform) are displayed on the monitor.

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Most commonly inserted into the radial artery, but can also be inserted into the femoral, brachial and dorsalis pedis artery.

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To watch a video of arterial line insertion using Seldinger technique, look on the "Tubes and Lines" page

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End Tidal CO2 monitoring

End tidal CO2 monitoring refers to the noninvasive measurement of exhaled carbon dioxide. It works on the principle that diatomic molecules absorb infrared radiation. The end tidal measurement is a number expressed in kilopascals.

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A capnograph is the graphical representation of the respiratory cycle. It can be used clinically to ensure endotracheal tube placement, detect disconnection or obstruction, and as an indirect measure of cardiac output.

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Central Venous Pressure

A graphical representation of pressure generated within the venous system throughout the cardiac cycle

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