How often should values be documented when using capnography?

Capnography is a vital monitoring tool used in resuscitation and other emergency medical situations to assess a patient's ventilation and overall respiratory status through the measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in exhaled breath. Regular documentation of these values is crucial for tracking trends in a patient's condition and making informed clinical decisions.

The recommended standard for documenting capnography values is every 5 minutes. This interval allows monitoring of changes in a patient's respiratory status without being overly frequent, which could lead to unnecessary interruptions in care or distractions. By recording the CO2 levels every 5 minutes, providers can effectively identify any deterioration or improvement in the patient's condition while still ensuring that they maintain focus on delivering appropriate care. Additionally, this timeframe helps in adhering to protocols aimed at providing timely interventions should the patient’s ventilation or overall status begin to change.