What is a pulse oximeter and what does it measure?

Clinicians use a pulse oximeter to measure a person’s blood oxygen levels in a painless and efficient way.

 

 

When you breathe, oxygen enters your lungs, travels through thin membranes, and enters your bloodstream, where red blood cells pick it up and transport it to various organs throughout your body.

 

A pulse oximeter is a small, clip-like device that measures how well oxygen binds to your red blood cells via infrared light refraction. It commonly slides over your fingertip or clips on your earlobe. The oxygen saturation measurement known as peripheral capillary oxygen saturation or SpO2 is used by oximeters to report blood oxygen levels.

 

What are the uses of a Pulse oximeter?

 

A pulse oxymeter is used in a variety of situations, including the following:

 

• It is useful for covid-19 patients to measure oxygen levels so that low oxygen levels can be detected early.
• To see how effective a new lung medication is
• Determine if someone requires assistance with breathing
• To determine how effective a ventilator is
• Keep an eye on oxygen levels during or after sedation-induced surgery
• To see how beneficial supplementary oxygen therapy is, especially when it’s being used for the first time.
• During a sleep study, to see if someone temporarily stops breathing while sleeping — as in sleep apnea patients
• To determine a person’s tolerance for increasing physical activity

 

Is a pulse oximeter helpful in detecting COVID-19 early?

 

The new coronavirus (COVID-19) enters the body via the respiratory system, causing direct injury to the lungs through inflammation and pneumonia, both of these factors can have a negative impact on how well oxygen is transferred into the bloodstream. This oxygen deficiency can occur at different phases of COVID-19, not just in critically ill patients on ventilators.

 

Indeed, there is a clinical phenomenon known as “happy hypoxia” in which a person with COVID-19 has very low oxygen levels but would seem healthy. It’s concerning because these patients may be more critically ill than they appear, necessitating closer monitoring in a medical context.

 

For this, you may be wanting to know if an oximeter can aid in the early detection of COVID-19. However, not everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will have low oxygen levels. Some people may experience a very uncomfortable bout with fever, muscle aches, and GI upset at home but never show signs of low oxygen levels.

 

Eventually, people must not consider a pulse oximeter to be a COVID-19 screening test. Having a normal oxygen level does not mean you are infection-free. Formal testing is still required if you are concerned about exposure.

 

Can a pulse oximeter be helpful  for monitoring COVID-19 at home?

 

When a person seems to have mild COVID-19 symptoms and is self-treating at home, an oximeter can be a useful tool for checking oxygen levels and detecting low oxygen levels early. People who have pre-existing lung disease, heart disease, obesity, or are an active smoker are more likely to have oxygen issues.

 

Furthermore, because “happy hypoxia” can occur in people who are asymptomatic, a pulse oximeter can help ensure that this clinically silent early warning sign is not overlooked.

 

Contact your healthcare provider right away if tested positive for COVID-19 and are concerned about any new symptoms. Aside from the objective pulse oximeter measurements, it is recommended that they visit the ER if they experience any labored breathing, severe chest pain, uncontrollable coughing, or dusky lips or fingers.

 

When do oximeter readings become concerning for a person with COVID-19?

 

There is no single SpO2 number that indicates a person’s oxygen levels are healthy and optimal.

 

To use an oximeter effectively, you must first know your baseline SpO2, and remember that your baseline reading can be influenced by pre-existing COPD, heart failure, or obesity. It is also essential to understand when a change in your SpO2 reading becomes significant. A SpO2 of 100% is clinically indistinguishable from a reading of 96 %

 

As a basic guideline, a person with COVID-19 who is monitoring their clinical status at home should ensure the SpO2 reading at or above 90 to 92 percent. If the number consistently drops below this level, prompt medical attention is required.

 

What could cause pulse oximeter readings to be inaccurate?

 

If a person has circulatory issues with poor blood flow to the extremities, such as very cold hands, intrinsic vascular disease, or Raynaud’s phenomenon, pulse oximeters can give false readings. Furthermore, fake nails or dark – colored nail paints, such as black or blue, can disrupt readings. To confirm the reading, it is recommended that people measure at least one finger on each hand.

 

What are the points to be checked before buying a Pulse Oximeter?

 

It is important to monitor your blood oxygen level at regular intervals in order to maintain track of your health. It can also assist you in determining whether or not you require medical attention. Here’s a quick buying guide if you’re not sure which oximeter to get.

 

1. Check the type of Pulse Oximeter

 

Fingertip pulse oximeters, handheld oximeters, and fetal pulse oximeters are the three types of oximeters available in the market. Usually people use a fingertip oximeter at home. This is the most easy way of determining blood oxygen levels. The handheld oximeter and the fetal pulse oximeter, on the other hand, are mostly used in hospitals and clinics.

 

2. Check for Accuracy

 

When buying a pulse oximeter, the most important thing to look for is accuracy. But how do you make sure it’s accurate? All you have to do is compare the results of two oximeters to see if they are identical. In addition, a malfunctioning oximeter will display noticeable fluctuations in the measurement. You can also check customer reviews on the oximeter’s website.

 

3. Check Quality and Standard Certificate

 

Another factor to consider when buying a pulse oximeter is certification. Quality and standards are certified by a number of organizations. The certification basically ensures that the product is accurate and suitable for consumers to use. FDA, and CE are some of the more dependable certifications, but there are others as well.

 

4. Check Brands are Indian

 

Before buying a product, always double-check the brand. There are many unbranded Chinese make pulse oximeters available in the grey market that do not provide an accurate reading, it even  gives a reading even when a pencil is inserted to check the oxygen level, so always insist to buy  Indian brands with at least a two years replacement  warranty at your doorstep. This can ensure your replacement if any defects occurred during the warranty period. If you buy Indian brands you can get it repaired or serviced even after the warranty period. 

 

5. Check Features

 

The pulse oximeter’s readings should be clear and bright enough to make it easier to use. Another consideration before buying is the product’s durability and build quality. It is necessary to assess what material it is made of and it is water resistant.

 

6. Check the warranty period.

 

Many low-cost brands do not provide warranties. Ensure that the product you purchase has a minimum warranty period of two years and that you will receive free replacement at your door during the warranty period.

 

7. What is the price of a good pulse oximeter?

 

The finger pulse oximeter is the most popular type of pulse oximeter. Chinese products ranging in price from INR300/- to INR500/- are available in the grey market. Always keep in mind that using low-cost pulse oximeters carries a high risk of producing inaccurate results, which can cause unnecessary fear and confusion. 

 

Indian brand high-quality pulse oximeters range in price from INR 1500 to INR 3500, depending on their reliability and brand value. A high-quality, branded oximeter may cost between INR1400 and INR1800, with a two-year replacement warranty delivered to your door. Furthermore, due to a flood of substandard and unbranded oximeters from China, the government has raised the maximum selling price to INR 1800/-.

 

The price of pulse oximeters has risen dramatically in recent days due to high demand. This should be noted that an expensive oximeter is not required; a low-cost, branded oximeter with accurate readings and local service support will suffice. All you have to do is make certain that the oximeter you are buying is marketed by a reputable Indian brand that can guarantee accurate readings. Also, ensure that the supplier selling the product is willing to provide a free replacement during the two-year warranty period at your door with just a phone call.

 

Now that you know how to find the best pulse oximeter for you, it’s time to get one as the spread rate of corona is rapidly increasing. It is recommended that you buy an Indian brand with at least a two-year warranty and free replacement at your door if any defects occur during the warranty period.

 

What are the key points to note when using a pulse oximeter?

 

Oximeter probes should not be clipped to a finger with nail varnish or henna because the color can absorb light emitted by the oximeter and interfere with the detection of oxygenated hemoglobin. Before using an oximeter, remove the nail varnish from one finger. In an emergency, the probe can be rotated sideways. If your fingertip is henna-colored, you can place the probe on your earlobe.