Fingertip Pulse Oximeter - What Does It Measure?

Pulse oximeters are medical devices designed to measure what percentage of the hemoglobin in your blood is oxygenated. Specifically, they measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and your pulse rate (BPM).

Oximeters are indispensable in hospital surgery units to ensure patients are safe while under anesthesia. They are also critical in infant wards for testing the heart health of infants. In fact, oximeters are standard monitoring tools in any situation where a patient’s oxygenation might be unstable.

After their invention in 1972, these devices quickly spread through the medical community due to their usefulness in many situations. Modern Finger Pulse Oximeters are small and non invasive, and have moved into the home market. They can be especially useful to patients with respiratory or cardiac problems and those suffering from sleep apnea and sleep hypopnea.

Pulse oximetry is not a substitute for getting a laboratory checkup of blood gasses since it doesn’t measure blood pH and carbon dioxide levels, but if you need a quick and painless way to regularly check your levels, a Finger Pulse Oximeter is a great device. If you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) an oximeter may help save your life.

Some athletes have begun wearing a pulse oximeter during exercise as a means of monitoring how efficiently they are training. You might find this useful if you are exercising in high altitudes, suffer from asthma, or are recovering from an illness. Keeping an eye on your oxygen levels while working out can help you monitor how hard you are pushing yourself and make sure that you don’t overdo it.

Pulse oximetry provides a quick, non-invasive way to monitor blood oxygenation and pulse rate, both of which may be a valuable tool in maintaining your health. Check with your doctor to see if one would be right for you.

Factors To Consider When Purchasing A Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a simple device that measures SpO_2, or blood oxygen saturation level, and pulse rate (BMP). Typically you attach a sensor to your fingertip or earlobe, or to a child’s foot to get a reading. For a healthy individual, blood oxygenation levels should be in the 95 to 99 percent range.

 When purchasing a pulse ox, consider the features that will meet your needs. Units can cost anywhere from $30 to several thousand for the professional models used in hospitals. A simple device that provides accurate readings and is medically approved should be adequate for most home users.

If you want to pay a little more, you may get added features such as a color display and the ability to store and report long ranges of data. This feature can be very useful if you have a chronic condition you need to monitor and report back to your physician. If you have children, you may consider a pediatric oximeter or a hand held unit with a pediatric probe.

Testing the unit you choose against actual blood tests will guarantee not only the accuracy of the unit, but also that you understand how to use it correctly. Most reputable companies offer a refund on their products, so you can choose another unit if you find a discrepancy after comparison.

Other factors to consider include alarms and overall durability. Some patients need a pulseox with an audible alarm so they are alerted immediately to low oxygenation levels. As for durability, some units are designed to resist humidity or be shock resistant in case you drop them. It pays to do a little research to find out what features are available and which ones will be most useful to you.