All about pulse oximeter that’s you need to know and how Pulse Oximeters are helping people in Covid-19 pandemic?

02/06/2021
Fingertip pulse oximeter

Pulse oximeters have become a more prevalent piece of monitoring equipment in most households and healthcare facilities during this COVID-19 pandemic. People are becoming more cautious and worried about safety precautions.
However, there are many myths and confusions about incorrect readings due to a lack of proper awareness of the product's operation. So, to clear up any confusion, please read on. Please read this carefully as it may contain technical information.

What Is A Pulse Oximeter?

A pulse oximeter is a small, lightweight, portable medical device that measures the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood. It tests oxygen saturation levels in a non-invasive manner (This ensures no medical device is placed in the cavity of the body). The results of each reading are shown on a display attached to the Oxy Pulse meter.

What Are the Types of Pulse Oximeter?

Different types of Pulse Oximeters: -

1) Fingertip Pulse Oximeter- The Finger Oximeter is ideal for measuring pulse oximeter reading (pulse rate, and Sp02) at home. A fingertip pulse oximeter is simple to use and offers accurate results with a single touch of the power button. It is a small battery-powered device. Finger oxygen meter has a LED screen display on the clip itself that make it easy and convenient of reading results.

2) Handheld Pulse oximeter- Handheld pulse oximeters are still one of the most common ways to obtain pulse oximeter reading. At the end of the cable length, a separate reusable sensor is clipped onto the finger, and the other side is attached to the handheld oxygen saturation monitor.

3) Table Top Pulse Oximeter - This type of Pulse oximeter  is use hospitals and clinics  because these  table-top pulse oximeters comes with advanced features, and also they are expensive.

  • They are used for all-round monitoring, convenient operation and high-cost performance, applicable in adults, infants and neonates.
  • Use For medical, surgery, surgery, operating room, ICU/CCU, emergency, obstetrics and gynecological treatments, pediatrics.
  • These Oxy meters coming with visual and audio alert can be configured for systolic (SYS), diastolic (DIA), medium (MAP), spO2 and pulse (PR). Table-top oximeters also have flash memory where doctors can store patient’s data related to spo2 etc.

How to Measure Pulse Oximeter Reading?

Understanding Pulse Oximeter Reading: -

Two readings measure a pulse oximeter:

1)Spo2 (Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen) level - The reading from oxy meters is expressed in SpO2. SpO2 is measure of the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. In simple words, it is your oxygen level, and it displays alongside a graph.

infographic about what is spo2 , normal spo2 ,normal spo2 with COPD, abnormal spo2.

2)PR (Pulse Rate) Reading - Pulse rate in pulse oximeter is nothing else than the heart rate that shows how many times a heartbeat a minute. The values of pulse for normal condition ranges from 70 to 100 bpm.

PROCEDURE STEPS TO USE PULSE OXIMETER

Pulse oximeter use for measures the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you simply have a pulse meter for home use.
Most commonly in case of fingertip oximeter reading, a clip-like device is going to be placed on your finger, earlobe, or thumb. You’ll feel a little amount of pressure, but there's no pain or pinching.

If you are using a handheld or table-top oximeter than, a little probe could also be placed on your finger or forehead with a sticky adhesive. You’ll be asked to get rid of your fingernail polish if it’s being attached to a finger.
You’ll keep the probe on for as long as required to watch your pulse and oxygen saturation. When monitoring physical activity capabilities, this may be during the extent of the exercise and through the recovery period. During surgery, the probe are going to be attached beforehand and removed once you’re awake and not under supervision. Sometimes, it'll only be wont to take one reading quickly. Once the test is over, the clip or probe is going to be removed.

How Pulse Oximeters are helping people in Covid-19 pandemic?

According to health experts, A pulse oximeter is only one component of a wider screening and testing process for COVID-19 patients, and it cannot detect the condition on its own. A pulse oxymeter may identify problems linked to blood oxygen levels, since COVID-19 is not the only disease that produces low levels of oxygen in the blood. Low oxygen count can also be caused by other conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and non-COVID-19 lung infection.
According to health experts “pulse oximeter is recommended for the early detection of ‘COVID Pneumonia’, a potentially deadly condition seen among the most severe coronavirus cases.” 

“  On April 24, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan remarked in a video chat with state health ministers and secretaries that portable pulse oximeters can help in the early diagnosis of corona patients, which can assist to reduce the fatality rate owing to COVID-19.”

Depending on clinical testing or waiting for advanced symptoms, such as shortness of breath, can delay treatment, and the loss of that crucial time can make the patient more critical. Regular oxygen levels monitoring can assist medical personnel to take action early rather than wait for breath shortages or pneumonia. Oximeter will also aid in reducing the unexpected increase of distressed.

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Nice artical . Very insightful

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