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Table of Content |
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What is an Oximeter? |
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What is the Purpose of Oximeter? |
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Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) |
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Measure Pulse Rate |
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Common Cases that Require an Oximeter |
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What is the Pulse Oximeter Normal Range? |
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Working of an Oximeter |
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Types of Pulse Oximeter |
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How to effectively use an Oximeter? |
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Reading Oximeter Correctly |
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Factors affecting Pulse Oximeter Readings |
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How to Safely take care of the Oximeter? |
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When to contact your health care provider? |
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Why buy an Oximeter from Amazon Business? |
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Conclusion |
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FAQs |
India experienced the severity of the second COVID-19 wave, which infected millions of people and killing several thousand. It is common for people to panic during such a crisis, but that makes it even worse for the victims. Therefore, it is advisable to abstain from panicking in such a crisis and instead be prepared to battle the infection with proper tools. A pulse oximeter is one such doctor-recommended tool for every household.
However, just having this device doesn’t help if one doesn’t know how to use a pulse oximeter. But fret not, this article seeks to teach how to use a pulse oximeter, the proper way of reading pulse oximeter, and maintaining a pulse oximeter.
Pulse oximeters are small clamp-like device that reads the SpO2 level or the oxygen saturation level in our body. This small device is also capable of measuring heart rate and the SpO2 level at the same time. Doctors, clinics, and hospitals regularly use pulse oximeters. However, with the onset of COVID-19 infection, experts have recommended every household to keep a pulse oximeter to be aware of a sudden drop in the blood-oxygen level. Knowing how to use a pulse oximeter can help anyone avoid health risks.
The main purpose of a pulse oximeter is to measure the oxygen saturation level in our blood. Therefore, medical practitioners use pulse oximeters in clinics or hospitals to determine whether a patient needs oxygen support or not.
With that said, doctors or health experts recommend that every household should keep and also learn how to use oximeter.
Essentially, an oximeter or pulse oximeter does two jobs –
It has been observed that COVID patients experience a sudden drop in the SpO2 or blood oxygen saturation. This phenomenon is called hypoxemia. It causes breathing issues, and the plummeting oxygen saturation often leads to fatal consequences.
Hypoxemia is generally unnoticeable in patients who don’t have symptoms like breathing trouble or pneumonia. Despite the less severity, the patients may die of low oxygen levels in the body. Knowing how to use an oximeter at home can help the family avoid any dire consequences.
Oximeters can also monitor pulse rate and track any sudden spikes or drops. Being able to spot any drop in the pulse rate can help people avoid disastrous consequences.
You may have noticed that health experts use pulse oximeter on patients. A pulse oximeter has been in medical usage for decades. It is a crucial device to treat patients suffering from respiratory or other diseases. Here is a list of some typical cases that require an oximeter, and patients who know how to use a pulse oximeter can avoid any difficult situation in such cases:
To know how oximeters work is as essential as knowing how to use a pulse oximeter.
Pulse oximeters are often clipped to the patient’s finger, toe, or earlobe to measure the blood-oxygen saturation or SpO2. Some of the oximeters can also measure hearth-beat, blood flow, etc.
After switching on, you may notice that a pulse oximeter radiates a red beam. The device passes this red beam through the blood vessels of the patient’s finger, earlobe or toe. The oximeter monitors the changes in light absorption in blood cells and indicates the changes through a small screen.
There are three types of pulse oximeters –
Among all these, the most popular type of oximeter is the fingertip pulse oximeter. As the names suggest, fingertip oximeters are connected to the patient’s fingertip to measure the blood oxygen saturation and heart rate. These are ideal for home use.
Handheld oximeters are primarily used in clinics and hospitals, and fetal pulse oximeters are used to monitor blood oxygen saturation in feti.
Before you rely on the oximeter’s readings, you must know how to use a pulse oximeter properly, and the basic step is to understand how to put on an oximeter. While putting the clip of the oximeter on the patient’s finger or toe, you should notice if –
The points above mentioned are the basic guide on how to use a pulse oximeter effectively.
After discussing how to use a pulse oximeter, it is time to learn how to interpret the oximeter data. A pulse oximeter comes equipped with a small LCD screen that shows the SpO2 readings and other information. Generally, a pulse oximeter displays information in numbers, so it is pretty straightforward. However, interpretation of the numbers is easy, but understanding when to take action is crucial. Once you learn how to use a pulse oximeter and interpret the oximeter reading, we will discuss the alarming factors.
Below is a reference image showing a pulse oximeter’s screen. Here you can see the SpO2 or blood oxygen saturation in percentage (98%). Right under the SpO2 percentage, there is the information on heart rate, and the vertical broken-line is the blood flow indicator. It shows whether the blood flow to the oximeter-connected spot is free or not.
Image1: a pulse oximeter reading (source)
Please remember, your oximeter may or may not have all the information discussed here, but it should show the oxygen saturation level in your body. If you need a comprehensive and accurate pulse oximeter, you can compare all products and buy the best pulse oximeter from Amazon Business.
While monitoring the blood oxygen saturation, you should keep a few things in mind to get accurate readings on the pulse oximeter. In certain conditions, the oximeter may falter to produce an accurate reading. Even people who know how to use a pulse oximeter may find it confusing.
So, what factors can affect pulse oximetry reading?
Another crucial part of learning how to use a pulse oximeter is to understand the data.
Image2: a pulse oximeter shows steady reading (source)
Observe the curved line in the reference image above. This is a reading on a steady patient. If you compare the above image with the below one, you will notice the difference in the movement of the curved line (compare image2 and image3). The second image shows how the reading differs when the patient is not steady or if the oximeter is moved.
Image3: a pulse oximeter reads irregular movement (source)
Witnessing such a drop in the SpO2 level and the incohesive readings can create panic and confusion, even to those who know how to use a pulse oximeter. That person may use the oximeter on him or herself to see if it is working properly or not. Please remember to contact a doctor if the patient’s SpO2 plummets below 94%.
Knowing how to use oximeter is not enough. Maintaining a pulse oximeter is equally important. If you ensure a few steps, a pulse oximeter can last for a long time and also maintain data accuracy. These steps are –
In case you are using an oximeter attached to cables,
If you are a caregiver to a COVID patient(s), please keep monitoring their health condition. In case you notice any drop in the SpO2 or abnormal pulse rate, you should contact the healthcare provider or a doctor. SpO2 levels above 94% is a healthy reading. Anything below that number can be a reason of concern.
There is no need to further emphasize the need for having a pulse oximeter at home and how vital it is to know how to use a pulse oximeter. The doctors are recommending it to the COVID-19 infected patients. The pulse oximeter helps the patients determine whether their condition is deteriorating or whether they need hospitalization.
As for hospitals and other health institutions, purchasing pulse oximeters becomes essential. Amazon Business brings you a host of options in pulse oximeters to compare and choose from. You can also purchase COVID-19 supplies or other clinic essentials from Amazon Business.
Amazon business is the largest e-commerce company in India, and it offers a great variety of product at competitive pricing for all its customers. Compared to retail purchasing, you may enjoy exciting discounts for bulk buying from Amazon business. Moreover, Amazon business has a wide network of delivery service in the metro cities across India, making it easy for businesses to receive their orders in time. Open a free Amazon Business Account for all your bulk procurement needs.
