Apnea Monitors

An apnea monitor counts the baby’s breathing and heart rate.  It is used to alert the care provider if either is out of the normal range.

 

Cautions:

• Ensure you know and are comfortable performing CPR.
• Identify another person (family member or neighbor) to be able to provide assistance if you need it to call 911, etc.
• Post your address, major cross streets, and medications by the telephone so the information is available to the person making the emergency call.
• Use monitor whenever the care provider is asleep or whenever the baby is in another room or when ever the baby is sleeping.
• Observe skin under the leads or belt for signs of redness or irritation, if observed, move leads or belt to another location on the chest.  Notify doctor if irritation continues.
• Keep a monitor alarm log; it will help doctor decide if/when the baby needs a medication and/or when it is safe to discontinue its use.
• Do not discontinue without a doctor’s order.

Alarms:

• ·        The doctor will prescribe the alarm settings, which will be set by the equipment supplier.
• ·        Normal alarm settings, the monitor will alarm if rates are outside these limits.

             Apnea alarm-set at 20 seconds

             Low heart rate alarm at 80 beats/minute

             High heart rate alarm at 250 beats/minute

Other alarms:

• ·        Loose lead, most often cause of alarm
• ·        Belt or wires off or too loose.

If machine alarms:

ALWAYS LOOK AT THE BABY FIRST!

• ·        If baby is not breathing, proceed with CPR.
• ·        If baby is breathing and alarm is still sounding, check for loose or disconnected leads or battery charge is low.
• ·        If monitor is alarming and no loose/disconnected leads, be sure skin beneath leads is clean and does not have lotion on it.  A drop or two of water on the lead (on the side that touches baby’s skin) may be needed to help make good contact.  Also check belt placement-if belt has moved, alarm may sound. 
• ·        If you continue to alarms and baby appears OK, contact equipment company for assistance.
• ·        Follow the manual for further instructions.