PULSE OXIMETER:
A pulse Oximeter is a small, lightweight device used to monitor the amount of oxygen carried in the body. This non-invasive tool attaches painlessly to your fingertip, sending two wavelengths of light through the finger to measure your pulse rate and how much oxygen is in your system. Once the Oximeter finishes its assessment, its screen will display the percent of oxygen in your blood coming from your heart—as well as your current pulse rate.
DEVICE MECHANISM:
Apply on any finger; the device shows Heart Rate (per minute) & Oxygen level (percentage).
Infrared light and red light are shone through the finger. How the light is absorbed allows the device to calculate the amount of Oxygen in the blood. Oxygenated Hemoglobin in the blood absorbs more infrared light and lets more red light pass through.
PULSE OXIMETER READING: SpO2
| SpO2 Level | Indication | Healthcare Intervention |
| Normal in healthy individuals | ≥ 94% | No significant intervention is needed. |
| Normal in people with COPD | 88% to 92% | Continue with respiratory assessment & monitoring. |
| Hypoxic | 85% to 93% | Assess for underlying respiratory diseases & initiate Oxygen therapy, especially in COPD patients. |
| Severely Hypoxic | < 85% | Administer supplemental oxygen immediately. |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION (COVID-19):
1. If the waves appearing on Oximeter-display are regular, the reading is considered correct and exact. Abnormal and irregular waves show incorrect reading, and cause confusion and false interpretation of health condition.
2. If SpO2 is more than 92%, no need to worry.
3. If SpO2 is less than 92%, Oxygen is needed. Lying in prone position for ½-2 hours and then left and right lateral recumbent, sitting up 50-60 degrees and moving around helps. Don’t stay in close room for isolation. Take fresh air in balcony or garden.
4. Possible causes of irregular/abnormal waves are;
a. Shivering/ shaking of body or other movements.
b. Cold clammy hands/body.
c. Nail polish, ink, colors, henna/menhdi on fingers etc.
d. Low BP or Oxygen level.
5. Normal Pulse Rate range is 60-100 beats per minute.
PULSE OXIMETER AND COVID-19:
As a good rule of thumb, a person with COVID-19 monitoring his or her clinical status at home will want to ensure that the SpO2 reading stays consistently at or above 90 to 92%. If the number consistently drops below this threshold, timely medical evaluation is warranted.
