Even-Number Bias in Pulse Oximetry Measurements in Hospitals in Denmark and the United Kingdom: An Observational Study
We identified even-number bias in routine pulse oximetry entries in the UK and Denmark. The bias was substantially greater for manually collected data than for automated continuous data. The high degree of even-number bias in patients who were receiving supplemental oxygen suggests that the SpO<sub>2</sub> might be rounded to meet target saturation range or Early Warning Score boundaries. This bias could influence patient management and clinical outcomes.
Authors
- Anders Karlsen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9356-1346)
- Eske Kvanner Aasvang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7131-2461)
- Markus Harboe Olsen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0981-0723)
- Christian Sylvest Meyhoff (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4885-4609)
- Nawar Diar Bakerly (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2102-1997)
- Jesper Mølgaard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2062-9570)
- B. Ronan O’Driscoll
Institutions
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Frederiksberg Hospital (DK)
- Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
- Rigshospitalet (DK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Respiration
- Published
- 2025-11-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000549517
- Primary Topic
- Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00