Pulse oximeter: How it works and how it is helpful for covid 19 patients | Sanrai Shop
How do pulse oximeters work? Are they useful during the COVID-19 pandemic?

How do pulse oximeters work? Are they useful during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Have you heard of the pulse oximeter? Who hasn’t! The tiny medical device keeps popping up in the news, social media sites, and conversations with friends and family, thanks to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that has brought the country’s healthcare system on its knees. A pulse oximeter is a noninvasive, clip-on device that measures a person’s heart rate and oxygen metrics. Pulse oximetry is painless and takes just a few seconds. Here’s everything you need to know about the pulse oximeter, how it works, and its many uses.

What is a Pulse Oximeter?

We all know that the human body depends on oxygen for survival. When we breathe, the oxygen enters the lungs and is carried to various body organs via hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells. If the oxygen levels drop (hypoxia), the functioning of vital organs can get affected. This is where the pulse oximeter steps in. It measures the oxygen saturation in the blood, which indicates how much oxygen carried by hemoglobin is travelling to the organs. The reading is expressed as a percentage and referred to as SpO2.

How does a pulse oximeter work

A pulse oximeter (also called a “Pulse Ox”) is a handy tool for monitoring oxygen saturation levels at home. The unit has a monitor, a light detector, and a sensor with light-emitting diodes. Operating the pulse oximeter is easy. The apparatus is clipped onto the fingertip, preferably the forefinger. It’s vital to ensure the hand is warm, relaxed, and placed below the heart level. On activation, the oximeter transmits two wavelengths of light (red beam and infrared light) through the tissues of the fingertip to calculate oxygen saturation in the blood and reflect it on the inbuilt screen. The device also provides accurate insights into the current pulse rate.

Interpreting the pulse oximeter reading:

The SpO2 readings on the oximeter vary from 0-100%. An oxygen saturation level of 96% or greater is considered normal for a fit and healthy person. Anything under 92% indicates the blood is poorly saturated and requires medical intervention. A word of caution! While pulse oximetry is a reliable self-monitoring solution that provides precise readings for various conditions, there can be some discrepancies. The gadget can produce a false reading due to cigarette smoking, anemia, circulatory problems, hypothermia, or intrinsic vascular disease. And yes, incorrect placement of the sensor, fake nails, tattooed skin, or dark nail polish can also distort the readings. Additionally, motion artefacts (involuntary and voluntary movements of the finger or arm) can cause erroneous readings.

What are the two readings on a pulse oximeter?

Most pulse oximeters show heart rate (pulse) and blood oxygen saturation. These two parameters are important for clinicians to understand your current state of well-being.

Which finger should we use to measure oxygen saturation using pulse oximeters?

The pulse oximeter should ideally be placed on your forefinger. You must also ensure that there is no unwanted movement, and your hand should be under the heart level while measuring SpO2 or oxygen saturation levels.

Can a pulse oximeter detect heart attacks?

Yes, but not on its own. A pulse oximeter detects oxygen saturation and can indicate if you have had a heart attack. With clinical evaluation, pulse oximeters can help doctors ensure the root cause of your current condition.

How accurate are pulse oximeters?

High-quality pulse oximeters are pretty accurate and maintain a general reliability score of 95%. However, these scores are impacted by movement (motion artefacts), placement and condition of the digit (finger). Consumer-grade pulse oximeters detect the right amount of saturation 95% of the time, which is enough for home use—when used correctly. Follow the instructions and ensure that you do not have nail polish or fake nails on.

A plethora of pulse oximeter uses:

The pulse oximeter is used widely in a clinical setting to make informed treatment decisions. The technology is beneficial for those afflicted with conditions that affect oxygen saturation. It is a standard procedure for diagnosing symptoms such as shortness of breath and tracking oxygen levels during surgeries that require anesthesia or conscious sedation. Pulse oximeter readings help to gauge oxygenation in patients with chronic respiratory illnesses. Additionally, these readings can also help check ventilator support parameters, determine whether pacing is effective in heart patients, optimize supplemental oxygen delivery and monitor the efficacy of lung medication. The gadget is also valuable in neonatal care and assessing the severity of asthma attacks. Furthermore, it holds potential for people with COPD, cardiovascular problems, sleep apnea, pneumonia, and more. Lately, this device is gaining popularity in sports, aviation, mountain climbing, and other recreational activities.

Can pulse oximeters help detect covid-19?

Given the current coronavirus crisis, that’s the million-dollar question playing on everyone’s mind. It’s no secret that COVID-19 impacts the respiratory system and causes direct injury to a person’s lungs, impairing oxygen levels in the bloodstream. Early signs of a severe form of the COVID-19 infection include conditions such as hypoxemia. Pulse oximeters can help to detect these conditions easily, ensuring that patients get timely medical attention. But then again, not everyone infected exhibits low oxygen levels. A pulse oximeter can help monitor breathing issues but cannot serve as a substitute for COVID-19 screening. It’s thus crucial to undergo formal testing if experiencing any symptoms related to the lethal disease.

Final thoughts:

There’s no denying that pulse oximetry is a quick, safe, and noninvasive test that shows promise in respiratory monitoring. However, pulse oximeters can also bestow a false sense of security in people with severe yet asymptomatic conditions. As a thumb rule, the equipment should be used in conjunction with expert medical supervision to confirm a sudden deterioration in blood oxygenation.

If you are suffering from COPD or live in an area with high precedence of COVID-19 infections, stay home, stay safe, and follow protocols that help you reduce exposure. At Sanrai, we care for your well-being and ensure that you are well-informed to take care of the things that may affect you during the pandemic.

Sanrai is a leading and experienced supplier of oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters to various industry verticals and provides outstanding after-sales support and warranty services. Contact Sanrai today for more information about how you can meet your specific oxygen therapy requirements.

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