The Digital Pulse Oximeter: Uses
The Digital Pulse Oximeter: Uses
Using a pulse oximeter a healthcare professional can take a reading of a patient’s blood oxygen levels. This piece of equipment turns a critically important assessment into a swift, non-invasive procedure that can be handled by anyone—even staff with basic training, or none at all.
Digital pulse oximeters are used in a wide range of healthcare settings to monitor blood oxygen (SpO2) levels for even the slightest of changes that could indicate a warning sign that the patient needs medical attention.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the most common uses of a pulse oximeter.
Monitoring Oxygen Saturation Over a Long Period of Time
The most common use for a pulse oximeter is to regularly check blood oxygen saturation in people who suffer from circulatory or respiratory conditions. These conditions stop the body from pushing as much oxygen around the bloodstream as it should. Regular SpO2 checks are often required to check that the body doesn’t need any extra help.
Blood oxygen levels at 92% or below are indicative of hypoxemia. Hypoxemia is a sign of a serious problem and means your body isn’t getting enough oxygen to function properly. Using a pulse oximeter to routinely check SpO2 means you have more likelihood of catching a life-threatening situation early.
These are examples of some illnesses and conditions that cause low blood oxygen saturation:
- Lung cancer
- Congenital heart disease
- Asthma
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Arthritis
- Congestive heart failure
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Cystic fibrosis
A pulse oximeter like the Nonin 2500 is and ideal choice for use in care homes or doctors offices. It can be used with finger clip sensors, soft sensors, flex sensors, and more for use on adults, children, and infants.
Providing People with Peace of Mind
Even if their doctor hasn’t advised them to take regular pulse oximeter readings, some people find that using a pulse oximeter gives them peace of mind because it shows them their blood oxygen saturation is normal.
It’s easy to convince yourself that you feel unwell when actually your body is alright. Feelings of panic can lead to dizziness and you might notice your breathing is more shallow simply because of being in a panicked state. Using a pulse oximeter helps a lot of people to see that their pulse and blood oxygen are at safe levels.
Similarly, if someone has a panic attack, using a pulse oximeter to check their heart rate might help them to see that there isn’t cause for alarm and even assist them in breathing more slowly, activating their parasympathetic nervous system to bring their heart rate down and make them feel more in control.
Lots of people buy a pulse oximeter to use at home because they are extremely easy to use. The Nonin 2500 can be adapted for use on a finger, toe, earlobe, or forehead.
Checking Blood Oxygen in Newborn Babies
A 2020 report states that 78% of neonatal units in the UK use pulse oximetry screening to check for conditions, respiratory disorders and sepsis.
Routine pulse oximetry for newborn babies leads to detection of congenital heart diseases that wouldn’t be picked up by antenatal ultrasound and postnatal examination, making pulse oximetry a useful addition to screening when babies are born.
Young children, especially babies that can’t verbally communicate, might find it difficult to express how they feel if they experience symptoms of low blood oxygen. Using a pulse oximeter is helpful for determining if something is wrong when the patient cannot express their symptoms. Not only is this useful in babies and young children, but in adults and elderly people who have trouble expressing themselves.
Checking Oxygen Levels Under Anesthetic
While awake, a person can ask for help if they feel short of breath and dizzy. When a patient is anesthetised for surgery, they won’t be able to communicate if they feel like something is wrong. Pulse oximetry is used during perioperative monitoring (times before, during, and after surgery) to make sure that blood oxygen levels are safe and medicine or equipment isn’t restricting the patient’s ability to intake oxygen.
Being able to detect early signs of low blood oxygen reduction has led some people to question whether it can reduce the chances of complication and death after surgery. However, a 2014 study on pulse oximetry for perioperative monitoring found there was no effect on cognitive function after surgery and no decrease in the risk of complications afterwards.
Assessing Whether Supplementary Oxygen is Needed
When oxygen levels dip below 95%, your body could need help getting the oxygen it requires to function. Supplementary oxygen, or oxygen therapy, is prescribed to people who have certain conditions that mean they struggle to keep their oxygen levels high enough. Conditions that affect SpO2 include lung cancer, asthma, pneumonia, and COPD.
A doctor will perform a blood gas test or use a pulse oximeter to determine blood oxygen saturation. Oxygen levels of 60 mmHg or lower in a blood gas test, or 95% or lower SpO2 indicates the patient may need supplemental oxygen.
Supplemental oxygen might be needed all the time, or just occasionally, depending on the condition of the patient. People can take oxygen as liquid or gas, or through oxygen concentrators, or hyperbolic oxygen therapy.
Pulse Oximeter Uses
In this video, we’ll cover some of the most common uses of a pulse oximeter.
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