DOES GASTRIC TONOMETRY WORK - YES

Gastric tonometry is gaining acceptance rapidly as a noninvasive metho d of monitoring tissue dysoxia in a key organ system that previously c ould not be assessed easily. in addition to being noninvasive, gastric tonometry also identifies dysoxia in shock sooner than currently avai lable monitors. This allows for more timely intervention with a subseq uent improvement in prognosis in defined groups of patients. Tonometry data that suggest continued dysoxia despite intervention should signa l clinicians to seek alternative diagnoses or to question the efficacy of current therapies, including antibiotics.