Training activity information
Details
Undertake ambulatory oxygen assessment in patients with suspected exercise induced desaturation and document a plan
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the key steps in performing an ambulatory oxygen assessment?
- What criteria are used to identify exercise-induced desaturation?
- What are the essential components of a documented plan for ambulatory oxygen use?
- What practical skills in conducting ambulatory oxygen assessments are you hoping to develop?
- What challenges do you foresee in accurately identifying desaturation during exercise?
- Will you review the guidelines for ambulatory oxygen assessment?
- Will you ensure you understand how to use the necessary equipment?
- Have you discussed the assessment procedure and documentation requirements with your training officer?
- What are your initial thoughts on the impact of exercise-induced desaturation on patients’ daily lives?
In action
- What steps are you taking to conduct the ambulatory oxygen assessment? How are you monitoring the patient’s oxygen saturation and other relevant parameters during exercise? Why are you using this particular protocol?
- What decisions are you making about the level of exercise and the duration of monitoring? Are you adjusting the assessment based on the patient’s tolerance and responses?
- Which parts of the ambulatory oxygen assessment feel straightforward, and where are you needing to pay closer attention to potential artefacts or the patient’s subjective experience?
- How effectively are your actions capturing the patient’s oxygenation status during activity? What challenges are you encountering in obtaining reliable data?
- What are you learning about the relationship between exercise and oxygen desaturation as you conduct this assessment?
- Are there alternative methods of assessing exercise-induced desaturation you could be considering? Do you need any immediate support or clarification on the protocol? Are you ensuring the patient’s safety during the assessment?
On action
- Summarise the key steps of the ambulatory oxygen assessment. What was the patient’s oxygen saturation at rest and during exercise? At what point and to what degree did desaturation occur, if at all? Describe the documented plan based on the assessment results.
- What specific skills or knowledge related to performing and interpreting ambulatory oxygen assessments did you develop or improve? Were there any challenges in obtaining accurate readings or in observing the patient’s response to exercise? How did you address these? How did the assessment results inform the documented plan for oxygen therapy or further investigation?
- What areas for continued development in undertaking and interpreting ambulatory oxygen assessments have been identified? How can you apply the learning from this assessment to future patients with suspected exercise-induced desaturation? What specific actions or ‘next steps’ will you take to further develop your understanding of exercise physiology and oxygen requirements? What support or resources might you need for further development?
Beyond action
- Have you conducted more ambulatory oxygen assessments for suspected exercise-induced desaturation? How did these compare?
- Have you had the chance to see how the results of your assessments informed the patients’ management plans regarding exercise and oxygen use?
- Consider if your understanding of exercise physiology and oxygen desaturation has deepened.
- Have you discussed your assessment techniques and interpretation with colleagues?
- Are you now more confident in performing and interpreting ambulatory oxygen assessments?
- Has this experience influenced how you communicate with patients about exercise and oxygen therapy?
- How has this training activity contributed to your understanding of assessing oxygen needs during activity?
- What transferable skills, such as exercise testing, data analysis, and patient communication, did you enhance?
- How will you approach future ambulatory oxygen assessments?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 |
Outcome
Undertake supplementary oxygen assessments in patients who are hypoxemic at rest and/or on exertion and analyse the results to make effective decisions regarding treatment. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Perform a risk assessment for, and order, supplemental oxygen. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Employ effective communication skills and compassion with a range of patients enabling patients to understand their treatment pathway. |