A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that measures oxygen levels in the blood. It works by using infrared rays to measure the amount of oxygen (blood gas) present in the capillaries, most commonly in the fingertips. Pulse oximeters usually need a fingertip to be inserted into the device, and held there for 6-10 seconds. Oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters were introduced in the five hospitals, and a protocol for detection of hypoxaemia and clinical use of oxygen was supplied. All children admitted had their.
Pulse Oximetry : Purpose and uses, How it works, Procedure, Readings
Oxygen Pulse Oximeter Levels
Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive and painless test. The pulse oximeter measures your oxygen saturation level, or the oxygen levels in your blood. It can detect efficiency of oxygen carried to organs like heart, legs and the arms.
The pulse oximeter is a small, clip-like device. It attaches to a body part, like toes or an earlobe. We just have to put it on a finger. A critical care setting like emergency rooms or hospitals often use the oximeter. Some doctors, such as pulmonologists, may use it in office.
Pulse Oximetry purpose and uses
The purpose of pulse oximetry is to check how well your heart is pumping oxygen through your body.
It monitors the health of individuals with any type of condition that can affect blood oxygen levels, especially while they’re in the hospital. These conditions include:
- lung cancer
- heart attack or heart failure
- congenital heart defects
There are a number of different common use cases for pulse oximetry, including:
- assess how well a new lung medication is working
- evaluate whether someone needs help breathing
- evaluate how helpful a ventilator is
- monitor oxygen levels during or after surgical procedures that require sedation
- determine how effective supplemental oxygen therapy is, especially when treatment is new
- assess someone’s ability to tolerate increased physical activity
- evaluate whether someone momentarily stops breathing while sleeping — like in cases of sleep apnea — during a sleep study
How pulse oximetry works
During a pulse oximetry reading, a small clamp-like device is placed on a finger, earlobe, or toe. Small beams of light pass through the blood in the finger, measuring the amount of oxygen. It does this by measuring changes of light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood. This is a painless process.
The pulse oximeter will thus be able to tell you your oxygen saturation levels along with your heart rate.
Procedure steps
Pulse oximetry may be used in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you have a pulse oximeter for home use.
The pulse oximetry process is as follows:
- Most commonly, a clip-like device will be placed on your finger, earlobe, or toe. You may feel a small amount of pressure, but there is no pain or pinching. In some cases, a small probe may be placed on your finger or forehead with a sticky adhesive. You may be asked to remove your fingernail polish if it’s being attached to a finger.
- You’ll keep the probe on for as long as needed to monitor your pulse and oxygen saturation. When monitoring physical activity capabilities, this will be during the extent of the exercise and during the recovery period. During surgery, the probe will be attached beforehand and removed once you’re awake and no longer under supervision. Sometimes, it will only be used to take a single reading very quickly.
- Once the test is over, the clip or probe will be removed.
Pulse oximetry readings
Best Oxygen Meter Finger
Pulse oximetry is typically a fairly accurate test. This is especially true when using high-quality equipment found in most medical offices or hospital settings. It consistently provides results within a 2-percent difference either way of what it truly is. If your reading was 82 percent, for example, your true oxygen saturation level may be anywhere from 80 to 84 percent. However, the quality of the waveform and assessment of the individual must be considered. Factors such as movement, temperature, or nail polish can impact the accuracy.
Oxygen Pulse Oximeter Readings
Typically, more than 89 percent of your blood should be carrying oxygen. This is the oxygen saturation level needed to keep your cells — and your body — healthy. While having an oxygen saturation below this temporarily is not believed to cause damage, repeat or consistent instances of lowered oxygen saturation levels may be damaging.
An oxygen saturation level of 95 percent is considered normal for most healthy individuals. A level of 92 percent indicates potential hypoxemia, or deficiency in oxygen reaching tissues in the body.
What’s next?
Once the test is over, your care provider will have the readings available immediately. This will help them determine if other testing or treatment is necessary. If you’re evaluating how successful your oxygen supplementation therapy is, for example, a reading that’s still on the low side might indicate the need for more oxygen.
Your healthcare provider will be able to tell you what the next steps are. If you’re using pulse oximetry at home, they’ll let you know how often to take your readings and what to do if they go above or below certain levels.
Conclusion
Pulse oximetry is a quick, noninvasive, and completely painless test. It comes with no risks aside from potential skin irritation from the adhesive used in some types of probes.
Oxygen level under 88%, in any case, is dangerous for vital organs. Around 80%, the organs gradually start to shut down. Before the patient experience that stage, he/she should be rushed to the hospital.
- Cognitive problems occur below 85%
- Mental impairment happens below 65%
- Below 55% leads to consciousness loss and death
What is pulse oximeter
The pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that is used to measure the oxygen level in the blood. Its readings are accurate and are used to monitor patients having health issues.
Benefits of pulse oximeter
The pulse oximeter not only measures your oxygen level in blood but also the pulse rate. It is used in the following scenarios
- To check if a ventilator is working
- To monitor how much physical exertion a person can tolerate
- To monitor the oxygen level during and after surgery
- To see the oxygen level in a person having lung issues
- Measure the pulse rate and oxygen concentration in the people having breathing issues
Normal oxygen level in blood
Oxygen levels in healthy individuals should be around 95-100%. However, due to higher altitudes, temperature extremes, and exertion, the value might decrease to 90-95%.
In the case of COPD and people with lung issues, it’s normal to have an oxygen level in the range of 88-92%. Oxygen level under 88% can be life-threatening.