Is a $30 pulse oximeter useful in a first aid kit?
In answer to the question as asked - no, it isn't particularly useful.Pulse oximetry is a useful monitoring and diagnostic aid but wouldn't be particularly useful as a first aid device.Pulse oximetry only measures the saturation of oxygen, not how effectively an individual is ventilating - a crucial difference for patients with conditions such as asthma, emphysema or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. When I teach Advanced Life Support (ALS) to medical staff, the rule of thumb is that 'all' patients who are severely ill/unwell should receive supplementary, high flow, oxygen.There are other methods of determining whether someone is unwell which don't rely on pulse oximetry. These may include an increased respiratory rate, new onset confusion, increased use of accessory muscles, inability to complete a full sentence when speaking and cyanosis. (Blue appearance of the mucus membranes - the tongue is a good place to look for this)Additionally, pulse oximetry can be unreliable if there is nail polish or dried blood on the hands and also in the presence of carboxyhaemoglobin, (formed after carbon monoxide poisoning)
Why do cold hands cause false pulse oximeter readings?
An oximeter doesn’t directly measure the oxygen in your blood. What it does is shoot a beam of light through the area you attach it (generally the finger). As you would expect your finger will absorb some of the light. Whatever is not absorbed will reach the light detector on the other side.Image via WikipediaThe amount of light absorbed depend on a few factors:Concentration of light absorbing substanceLength of light path in absorbing substanceOxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin absorbs red and infrareds differentlyHemoglobin absorbs the light sent through the oximeter so technically the more light absorbed, the more hemoglobin you should have in your bloodstream.With that said, there are some issues with this hemoglobin has a higher affinity to carbon monoxide than oxygen. This means that you could get a high reading despite suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you believe yourself to be hypoxemic, don’t rely on an oximeter reading.CirculationOkay, so how does this all relate to cold hands giving you a false oximeter reading? Cold hands mean that the blood flow and circulation to your hand is reduced. With less blood going to your fingers, there won’t be as much hemoglobin to absorb the light, giving you a false low reading.In order to get better readings from a finger oximeter try the following routine to help improve blood flow and warm up the hands:Relax your hands, shoulder and bodyMassage your hands by rubbing them against each other for a minuteGently and slowly curl your fingers like you’re squeezing a tennis ball. Do this for a few secondsRelax and straighten your fingersRepeat curling your fingers 15 to 20 timesRepeat step 3If you have a consistent issue with low blood pressure and cold hands, consider getting an oximeter that clips to your ear lob instead.Disclaimer: Always contact your doctor if you believe you have low blood oxygen levels. While an oximeter at home can help, there are many limitations and only a doctor can provide you with the necessary medical knowledge and instructions.
When using a pulse oximeter is it unusual to have a perfusion index of .06 in every finger?
When using a pulse oximeter is it unusual to have a perfusion index of .06 in every finger?If you are getting a good PulseOx reading then the PI reading is very low. It is unusual to get the exact same reading on every finger.Have you tried using the device on someone else to see if it is working properly? Does it have fresh batteries?Is this a professional unit or a home unit? Not all units are calibrated properly. Compare it to a unit at your doctor’s office to see if it is working correctly.
What is the difference between SpO2 and SaO2 in pulse oximetry?
The difference is how the measurement is taken SpO2 is an indirect measurement using a finger probe, ear sensor or similar device. SaO2 is a direct measurement using a blood sample such as an arterial blood gas analysis.
Will a Pulse Oximeter let me know if I am having a heart attack or not?
A pulse oximeter will only tell you the level of oxygenation of your blood and of course your heart rate. For a healthy individual oxygenated blood would be around 98 to 100 and can vary a little from time to time. If you were having a heart attack those numbers would drop, but there are other much more demonstrative tests for a heart attack such as ECG. If you had congested lungs the blood oxygen level would also drop. The pulse oximeter is very useful to visiting nurses and triage nurses. It will tell them how an elderly patient is doing in the home setting and in the ER. It is a useful instrument with patients of any age. It is built into most ER monitors. The portable pulse oximeters will cost from $600 to $1000 and are actually available on Ebay. Either refurbished or new.
What does it mean if your pulse ox is measured at 91%?
It means that you are taking in 91% of oxygen into your blood, which is a little low. A normal pulse ox is 95%-100%
Pulse ox level 71?
At what level should a person be no longer able to make coherent decisions pulse ox wise? My father has a pulse ox level of 71 presently and the on call doc still has not called back. At what point do I no longer wait and just take him into the hospital?