Insights On Wrist Pulse Oximeters

By Marci Glover


Oxygen saturation (SpO2), which is the measure of oxyhaemoglobing in blood, is a very important measurement as it shows the extent of blood oxygenation. The measurement was undertaken traditionally by invasely taking blood samples. The method was rather in-ideal and unable to provide clinicians real-time measurements. The need for a noninvasive approach to measuring oxygen saturation resulted in the development of wrist pulse oximeters.

A pulse oximeter merely implies a device which non-invasively determines the blood oxygenation in arteries and the pulse rate. The method enhances clinic officials to ascertain the oxygen saturation, particularly in patients that are unconscious, sedated, unaesthetic and unable to control own oxygen supply. It prevents irreversible tissue supply and is widely applied in hospitals, surgical rooms, and medical clinics and in homes.

The equipment is medically employed by patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and other related respiratory conditions. In addition, it is used by individuals in quite high altitudes including pilots and mountain climbers in guarding them against hypoxia. Wrist Oximeters are also handy gadgets, especially for athletes during their training in high altitudes. The decline in oxygen level has the ability of increasing the amount of red blood cells in the arteries of the athlete and aids in increasing their endurance.

These measuring devices are advantageous and convenient. Their small size renders them portable and mobile, coupled with the fact that there is no demand for an external power supply. Continuous monitoring is also possible as a result of their personal attachment. In addition, they come in absolutely lightweight and without long cables that prove cumbersome and interfering.

Their simplicity makes them easy to operate. To operate such simple equipment, one does not employ a lot of technical know-how and expertise. The only part that demands for some minor technical know how is in transferring the data. Taking readings from the screen is also quite simple as a result of their big display. This is completely contrary to the other Oximeters, such as finger based which have small displays and views of saturation levels.

In terms of affordability, the wrist based meters are fairly priced. Their mid-prices make them relatively cheap compared to their handheld and finger counterparts. Also, they can be applied by virtually all age groups, both adults and pediatric. Selecting a particular device depends on the size of your finger and your unit ability to withstand various sizes and types.

The equipment also offers data storage. They are capable of keeping data and being programmed to provide readings within set time frames to facilitate for the reading of saturation levels. They record extensive oxygen and heart rate data and require software to enable them to download and make reports on computers installed with windows.

These facilities may however not be well adapted in all avenues. For example, their lack of alarms makes them only suitable in sleep screening. However, where the services of the alarm are required, they are of little help. They also offer spot checking but may not be ideal when spot checking is the primary concern.




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