How can transcutaneous monitoring help support your neonatal patients?

Sentec transcutaneous technology overcomes many of the current limitations and challenges associated with CO2 measurement in the NICU by providing accurate, continuous, noninvasive CO2 values regardless of ventilation method or V/Q mismatch. Sentec transcutaneous monitoring provides consistent, independent CO2 measurement all while promoting neuroprotective efforts to deliver clustered care, protect skin integrity, and reduce the frequency of blood draws.

This paper explores the clinical utility of transcutaneous monitoring in the NICU as highlighted in the literature, covering: 

  • The importance of CO2 monitoring in the NICU, for both protecting the brain from IVH as well as properly implementing lung protective ventilatory strategies
  • The risks associated with arterial blood gases and capillary heel sticks, such as blood loss, infection, and pain
  • How transcutaneous CO2 monitoring can help reduce the frequency of blood draws in the NICU
  • The limitations of blood gases as a single point-in-time measurement, and how continuous CO2 monitoring may reduce the time neonatal patients spend outside normal CO2 ranges
  • How end tidal CO2 can underestimate PaCO2, is often infeasible and/or inaccurate in the NICU population, and is incompatible with lung-friendly high frequency ventilation methods
  • The demonstrated safety of Sentec’s digital transcutaneous monitoring for preterm infant skin
  • The indication of transcutaneous monitoring in multiple practice guidelines
transcutaneous monitoring in the NICU: clinical utility and impact

How can transcutaneous CO2 monitoring help support your neonatal patients?

Sentec transcutaneous technology overcomes many of the current limitations and challenges associated with CO2 measurement in the NICU by providing accurate, continuous, noninvasive CO2 values regardless of ventilation method or V/Q mismatch. Sentec transcutaneous monitoring provides consistent, independent CO2 measurement all while promoting neuroprotective efforts to deliver clustered care, protect skin integrity, and reduce the frequency of blood draws.

This paper explores the clinical utility of transcutaneous monitoring in the NICU as highlighted in the literature, covering:

  • The importance of CO2 monitoring in the NICU, for both protecting the brain from IVH as well as properly implementing lung protective ventilatory strategies
  • The risks associated with arterial blood gases and capillary heel sticks, such as blood loss, infection, and pain
  • How transcutaneous CO2 monitoring can help reduce the frequency of blood draws in the NICU
  • The limitations of blood gases as a single point-in-time measurement, and how continuous CO2 monitoring may reduce the time neonatal patients spend outside normal CO2 ranges
  • How end tidal CO2 can underestimate PaCO2, is often infeasible and/or inaccurate in the NICU population, and is incompatible with lung-friendly high frequency ventilation methods
  • The demonstrated safety of Sentec’s digital transcutaneous monitoring for preterm infant skin
  • The indication of transcutaneous monitoring in multiple practice guidelines

Meet the tCOM+

Developed with care, designed for confidence.

The tCOM+ offers continuous monitoring of tcPCO2, SpO2, and PR with a sleek new look and feel. This latest model includes significant software advances that improve workflow for providers, while continuing to support reduced blood draws and proactive ventilator management across care areas.

tCOM-device-angled

Stay up-to-date with Sentec


Related Posts

  • Sentec Article

    How Transcutaneous CO2 Monitoring Can Help NICU Nurses Advocate for Patients

    Continuous CO2 monitoring is a powerful tool that can help NICU nurses as they advocate for their tiny patients. Discover 4 ways it can help amplify your voice.

  • Whitepaper

    Pain and the Neonatal Brain: History, Outcomes, and Strategies for Improvement

    Patients in the NICU are among the most delicate residents in the hospital, yet studies have shown as many as 17 painful procedures being performed on neonates each day. Many painful procedures are related to blood draws for lab tests used to monitor patients and titrate support.

  • Whitepaper

    Reducing Blood Loss in the NICU

    Blood draws for lab work are well-established as one of the main drivers of anemia of prematurity leading to a high rate of transfusion in the NICU. Learn more about the problem and how transcutaneous monitoring can be part of the solution.