Precision Medical Conserving Flowmeter - Manual (Page 8)

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NOTE: Flush flow is any flow above the last calibrated line on
the Thorpe Flow Tube with an unrestricted flow, as per
“SPECIFICATIONS”.
5. Connect oxygen administration equipment via DISS connector on
bottom of flowmeter.
6. Assess effectiveness of oxygen therapy to the patient with pulse
oximetry or arterial blood gas.
7. If patient is stabilized on nasal cannula at ≤ 5 l/min, switch to
pulse-dose mode as follows:
A. Remove any type of humidity bottle.
B. Turn Flow Control Knob to obtain a continuous flow of 5 l/min or
greater.
C. Select pulse setting from 1 to 5, by turning the Selector Dial to
align Indicator Pointer with pulse setting.
NOTE: DO NOT adjust Flow control knob on flowmeter.
i. Choose pulse setting equal to continuous flow setting
(e.g. if patient is on 4 l/min continuous flow choose a pulse
setting of 4).
ii. If patient is on a ½ liter increment choose the next closest
higher pulse setting (e.g. if patient is on 2½ l/min place
patient on pulse setting of 3).
iii. Instruct patient that oxygen will only flow during the first part
of inspiration.
iv. Assess patient/conserver interaction to assure pulsing is occurring.
D. Re-assess patient’s oxygenation status via pulse oximetry or
arterial blood gas.
8. Amount of oxygen may be weaned either by decreasing the continuous
flow rate on the Thorpe tube flowmeter if patient is on continuous
flow or by decreasing the pulse of oxygen if on pulse mode.
(If patient is on pulse mode, oxygen may only be decreased in
increments of one (1)).
9. To turn off flowmeter, turn the Flow Control Knob fully clockwise.
NOTE: If nasal cannula is disconnected while on pulse oxygen
therapy. (The device should not pulse oxygen into the
atmosphere.) Limit of three (3) pulses per minute .