Professional advice on choosing a pulse oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a medical device used for the non-invasive determination of blood oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in capillaries for measurement.

How does a standard pulse oximeter work?

Hemoglobin is a biological pigment found in red blood cells. When hemoglobin combines with oxygen during the oxygenation of blood in the lungs, it becomes oxyhemoglobin.

 

Oxyhemoglobin is a molecule that absorbs large amounts of infrared light when it passes through it. The measurement principle of pulse oximetry is therefore based on the absorption of infrared radiation by oxyhemoglobin.

 

In practice, a light-emitting diode emits infrared light through a capillary tube to a photodiode. Therefore, the amount of infrared light absorbed by this capillary will be proportional to the oxyhemoglobin concentration.

 

What are the criteria for choosing a pulse oximeter?

There are primary selection criteria when purchasing a pulse oximeter, such as reliability of measurement, and secondary selection criteria, such as readability.

 

Main selection criteria:

Applications: Pulse oximeters can be used in hospitals and homes, as well as in the neonatal/pediatric, sports and veterinary fields, among others.

Type of Oximeter Needed: There are basically two types of pulse oximeters:

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter: The monitor is integrated directly onto the clip-on sensor. This type of pulse oximeter is practical and easy to carry. Widely used by individuals as well as hospitals.

Pulse oximeter with separate sensor In this type, the display is connected to the sensor through a cable. Such devices are more cumbersome and complex, making them less practical for individuals. However, more reliable measurements can be provided and are more suitable for hospital wards.

Measurement reliability: It is recommended to choose a pulse oximeter that is CE certified and complies with ISO 8061-2-61 standards. Users should also refer to the instructions to find out the exact error range stated by the manufacturer. The reliability of the measurements also depends on the number of sensors present on the device.

Autonomy: This is very important if the pulse oximeter will be used multiple times per day. Most devices are powered by batteries. Autonomy depends on the presence of certain features, such as a powerful backlight of the display screen, which consumes more energy, or the presence of an automatic shutdown function of the device, which will save battery usage.

 

Secondary selection criteria:

Readability: There are several features that make reading a pulse oximeter easier, such as powerful backlight, multi-directional display, anti-reflective glass, large and vibrant digital display, etc.

Additional measures: A pulse oximeter can be linked to a capillary meter or heart rate monitor and can also measure heart rate.

Reliability of equipment: When equipment is used by certain occupations such as firefighters or climbers, it is especially important to be shockproof, dustproof, or waterproof.

 

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a pulse oximeter?

Using a pulse oximeter has several advantages, such as being non-invasive, but also has some disadvantages, such as not being able to warn of breathing problems before they occur. Here are the main pros and cons:

 

Advantage:

Non-invasive

Quick and easy to use

painless

Instantaneous

Regular monitoring of certain vital signs made simple

 

Shortcoming:

Results indicate respiratory problems

relative reliability of results

 

How to use a pulse oximeter?

Using a pulse oximeter is simple, and each device is generally similar. Here are the main steps to follow:

 

Check that the sensor and LED emitter are clean. If the adhesive is not dry, it should be cleaned with alcohol or soap solution.

Place the sensor on one finger (usually the index finger, but another finger can be used if the patient feels more comfortable). Check your fingers for nail polish and oil.

Normal oxygen saturation in the blood should be between 95% and 100%. Below 95%, the patient's condition should be considered concerning. Below 90% is considered serious.

After the measurement, be sure to put the device back into the box, place it in a dry place, avoid excessive exposure to light, and place it at room temperature to prevent the battery from losing power and avoid the risk of unreliable measurements.

What factors will affect the measurement results?

Certain factors can affect the measurement and skew the results of a pulse oximeter, such as a patient's low blood pressure or a disturbed heart rhythm. The following is a non-exhaustive list:

 

Hypertension

Hypothermia

Heart rhythm disorders, such as arrhythmia or tachycardia

Sensor location is incorrect

Nail polish on the finger where the sensor is placed

Patient is overly active

Anemia

Patient morphology (size and thickness of fingers)

Measurements are taken at higher altitudes (oxyhemoglobin levels will be lower due to lack of oxygen in the environment)

If the oximeter is a single sensor and the same device is used for neonatal/pediatric and adult measurements.

 

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