Comparison of Gentleness and Reapplication Between Two Pulse Oximetry Probes in Healthy Adults in a Laboratory Setting.

Purpose: Many commonly used monitoring devices use adhesives to attach to the skin. These devices can cause avoidable skin damage, known as medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI). Pulse oximetry is a ubiquitous medical device used throughout care settings and, depending on the type of care, may have wear times over many hours or days. The purpose of these studies was to compare gentleness and reapplication of two pulse oximetry probes (Nellcor™ OxySoft™ neonatal-adult SpO Patients and Methods: Institutional Review Board approval was obtained prior to study initiation and all participants provided informed consent prior to commencement of study procedures. Eighteen participants were enrolled in the gentleness trial and 19 participants were enrolled in the reapplication trial. For the gentleness trial, Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) measurements were made at five sites on the forearm at three time points (baseline (T0), 4-hours post-initial wear (T1), 4-hours post-second wear (T2)). The total amount of protein adhered to each device was determined. For the reapplication trial, a series of 180° peel tests from the forearm were performed. Results: For the gentleness trial, no significant differences in TEWL rates were noted between the two probes at any time point. When examining protein removal, the silicone-based probe removed approximately 75% less protein compared to the acrylic-based probe. For the reapplication trial, the silicone-based probe retained approximately 85% of initial peel-force retention after 18 reapplications, whereas after only two reapplications the acrylic-based probe retained approximately 50% of initial peel-force retention. Conclusion: In healthy adults in a laboratory setting both probes appeared to be gentle on skin. The silicone-based probe demonstrated the ability to withstand 18 reapplications without functional loss in adhesion.