by Michelle Z. on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Did you know that some babies born with a heart defect can appear healthy at first and are sent home with their families before a problem is detected? Pulse oximetry is a simple, inexpensive painless bedside test to determine pulse rate and the amount of oxygen in a baby’s blood, which can help detect a critical congenital heart defect (CCHD) before a baby is released from the hospital. This test can take as little as 45 seconds to be completed by a technician.
Many states across the nation, including Delaware, are starting to look at legislation related to Pulse Ox screenings for newborns. To support our advocacy efforts , please visit our action center and send your legislators an email.