To know the oxygen saturation level, or the oxygen levels in your blood, a noninvasive and painless test called Pulse Oximetry has been carried by the doctors using various devices. This test ensures doctors about the oxygen flow from the heart to various parts of the patient’s body like the arms and legs.
It’s important to check Pulse Oximetry
to know the presence of enough oxygen in the blood. It’s useful in various medical treatments like:
>>During or after operations or procedures that use sedation
>>To know the effectiveness of the lung medicines given to the patient
>>To know the capability of a patient to handle increased activity levels
>>To know if a ventilator is required to ease breathing for a patient, or to check how well it’s working.
>>To keep track of the moments, when patient’s stop breathing during sleep (sleep apnea)
Blood Oxygen levels get affected during various medical conditions. Pulse Oximetry helps to treat major problems that affect Oxygen levels in the blood, such as Heart Failure, Heart Stroke, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Anemia, Lung cancer, Asthma, Pneumonia etc..
Nowadays, very simple to use clip-like devices are used by the physicians. With technical advancement and modernization, the measurement devices improved a lot. Portability is considered as an important aspect and devices are portable now. Accurate results shown by Fingertip Pulse Oximeter improved the lives of people a lot.
People can measure quick and precise pulse rate and SpO2 blood oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin levels, easily with Fingertip Pulse Oximeter.
Are there any risks/side-effects of pulse oximetry?
Pulse Oximeter has some minor risks but not major ones. Risks that patient can face during Pulse Oximetry are:
>> Inaccurate results, if the probe disconnected from the earlobe, toe, or finger
>> Irritation on the skin from the adhesive that used on the probe
Your physicians can explain more about the risks, please discuss with them freely.
Is there any kind of preparation required before pulse oximetry?
Your Physician can explain best regarding the preparations and the procedure to you. Feel free to ask any questions you have about the pulse oximetry. If your physician will use a finger probe, then the physician may be asked to remove nail polish from that particular finger.
Your doctor may have other instructions for you, so consult with your healthcare provider.
Pulse Oximetry Procedure:
A physician can start the procedure as an outpatient, meaning a patient can go home on the same day. Or Patient may have a longer stay in the hospital. Ways may vary depending upon the complexity of the health issue.
Mostly, pulse oximetry will follow this process:
>>Probe, a clip-like device will be placed on your finger or earlobe and it can be left on for ongoing monitoring.
>>A physician can use Pulse Oximeter to take a single reading as well. The probe will be removed after the readings.
There is nothing like complicated after pulse oximetry and the patient can start normal routine like diet and activities as instructed by the doctor.
Santamedical