respiratory emergency-medicine general-medicine

Oxygen Saturation Target Selection

Selects the SpO2 target range in acutely ill adults (BTS 2017): high-concentration oxygen in critical illness, 88-92% when at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure, otherwise 94-98%.

Used in: Asthma

Score interpretation

Standard adult — target SpO2 94-98%

→ If oxygen is needed: nasal cannulae 2-6 L/min or simple face mask 5-10 L/min, titrated to 94-98%; reservoir mask 15 L/min if SpO2 is below 85%; wean once stable within the target range (BTS 2017).

At-risk of CO2 retention — target SpO2 88-92%

→ 24% Venturi mask at 2-3 L/min, 28% Venturi mask at 4 L/min or nasal cannulae 1-2 L/min; check blood gases; move to 94-98% if PaCO2 is normal (unless previous NIV or IMV); bilevel NIV if respiratory acidosis persists despite medical treatment. Never withhold oxygen from a severely hypoxaemic patient.

Critical illness — reservoir mask 15 L/min

→ Cardiac arrest: highest possible inspired oxygen during CPR. Shock, sepsis, major trauma, drowning, anaphylaxis: reservoir mask 15 L/min, then target 94-98% once oximetry is reliable. Patients at risk of hypercapnia start the same way pending blood gases, then may need 88-92% (BTS 2017).

Interpretation bands for the O2 Target SpO2. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.

References

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Drugs

Pathways

Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.

Score interpretation

References

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