monitor sensitivity help

[Guest guest]

We are needing to change respiratory DME's for our 7 year old. He is on

liquid oxygen, negative pressure vent., pulse-oximeter, and apnea/bradycardia

monitor (CR monitor). In addition to he is cardiac paced and has a VP shunt.

Apparently the newer monitors are so sensitive that they pick up even the

slightest bit of chest wall movement. As a result, when he is vented (during

sleep state and when he is particularly unstable) the monitors we are trying

pick up the movements of the vent so we are getting the vent rate. This is

fine IF he is getting those numbers of breaths per minute. However, he has

positional related partial obstructions that cause apneas. At those times,

since the newer monitors are picking up the vent rate (with the leads places

away from the chest cuirass), we do not know if he is apneic UNTIL he drops

his oxygen saturations and sets off the alarm. When he is not vented, we get

very accurate central apnea alarms or obstructive related alarms.

My question: Are there any " new " alarms that will pick up HIS respirations as

opposed to the vent caused chest wall movements? We have tried the

healthdyne " smart " monitor which is not pacemaker compatible, the Ami, which

was not pacemaker compatible, and now the Assurance 2000, which we have

received no pacemaker incompatibility problems, BUT the venting related

respirations inaccuracy. If we have to, we will have to monitor his

positional related obstructions through oxygen desaturation when vented.

However, I need ACCURACY with respirations when in transport. Can anyone tell

me if the newer sensitive monitors will pick up the bumps of transportation

as respirations. We have proven its accuracy without ventilation, but not in

a transport situation, which is critical.

How accurate are pulse-oximeters in transport to depend upon for apnea

monitoring (as evidenced upon oxygen desaturation)?

thanks in advance,

Cheri