Pulse oximetry is a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive diagnostic technique that measures blood oxygen levels (or oxygen saturation). Oxygen saturation should always be above 95% but maybe lower for respiratory or congenital heart disease. It is possible to measure the percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood with a pulse oximeter, a device with a sensor similar to a clip attached to a delicate part of the body, such as a rag or a nose.
Part 1 – Prepare to use the pulse oximeter.
1. Understand the relationship between oxygen and blood. The oxygen is inhaled through the lungs and then enters the blood, where most of the hemoglobin binds. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen through the bloodstream to the rest of the body and tissues. In this way, the body gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function.
2. Understand the reasons that motivate the measurement. Pulse oximetry is used to determine oxygen saturation in the blood for various reasons. It is often used in surgery and other sedation procedures (e.g., bronchoscopy). The pulse oximeter can also be used to assess whether it is necessary to change the dose of oxygen administered, whether lung medicines are useful, and to determine patient tolerance for increased physical activity.
Your doctor may also recommend that you take this measurement if you use a breathing system to assist your breathing, if you have sleep apnea, or if you have or have had a serious illness, such as heart attack or congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD ), Anemia, lung cancer, asthma or pneumonia
3. Learn how the pulse oximeter works. The oximeter uses the absorption capacity of light by hemoglobin and the natural pulsation of blood flow in the arteries to measure the oxygen level in the body. A device called a probe is equipped with a source and a light detector and a microprocessor that compares and calculates the differences between an oxygen-rich and low-level hemoglobin. On one side of the probe is a light source with two different types of light: infrared and red. These two light beams are sent through the body tissue to the light detector on the other side of the probe. The oxygen-saturated hemoglobin absorbs more infrared light while the low-oxygen absorbs more red light. The microprocessor within the probe calculates the differences and converts the information to a digital value. It is this resulting value that is then evaluated to determine the amount of oxygen that is transported in the blood. Relative light absorption measurements are made several times per second and then processed by the instrument to obtain a new measurement every 0.5-1 second. In the end, the average of the polls of the last three seconds is displayed.
4. Know the risks of the procedure. You know that usually, the risks associated with using the pulse oximeter are minimal. If you use the oximeter for an extended period, tissue damage may occur at the site where the probe is applied (for example, fingers or ears) – and it may sometimes irritate the skin. Adhesive probes are used. Depending on your general health and your specific illnesses, other risks may exist. Consult your doctor before starting the procedure if you have any concerns.
5. Choose a pulse oximeter that suits your needs. Different types and models are available in the market. The most popular are the wearable, palm and fingers. Portable pulse oximeters can be purchased at many stores, including pharmacies and drugstores, orthopedic stores and even online. Most of these devices have a probe that looks a bit like a clothespin. You can also find in the market those stickers that can be applied on the finger or the forehead. For children and infants, you should use probes of suitable size.
6. Make sure the oximeter is charged. Connect it to a grounded outlet if your device is not portable. If this is the case, make sure it has enough charge to turn it on before starting it.
Part 2 – Use a pulse oximeter
1. Evaluate whether you need to recognize a single metric or whether you need continuous monitoring. If you do not have to undergo continuous monitoring, the probe must be removed after detection.
2. Remove everything on the application page and absorb light. For example, if you want to apply the oximeter to your finger, it is important to remove anything that absorbs light (such as dry blood or nail polish) to avoid false low readings.
3. Heat the area to which the probe is to be applied. Cold can lead to poor perfusion or slow blood flow, which in turn can lead to falsely low readings. Make sure that your finger, ear or forehead have room temperature or some warmth before starting the procedure.
4. Eliminate any sources of environmental impact. High levels of ambient light, such as ceiling lights, the lights of hot phototherapy and infrared, can “blind” the light sensor of the device and give an inaccurate reading. Resolve the problem by reattaching the sensor or shielding it with a cloth or blanket.
5. Wash your hands. This makes it possible to reduce the transmission of microorganisms and body secretions.
6. Connect the probe. It is usually placed on a finger – then turn on the pulse oximeter and put it on “up.” The probes can also be placed on the flap and the forehead, although studies have shown that the flap is often not a reliable site for measuring oxygen saturation. When using the finger pulse oximeter, the hand should rest at the level of the heart on the chest and not be raised in the air (as is often the case with patients). This helps minimize movements that could interfere with detection. Minimize every movement. The most common cause of inaccurate readings is just excessive movement. One way to prevent the movement from reading is to ensure that the displayed heart rate matches the manually controlled heart rate. The beat numbers should not differ for more than five beats per minute.
7. Read the measurement. The oxygen saturation and the heart rate are displayed in a few seconds on the illuminated display. A score of 95% – 100% is generally considered normal. However, if the oxygen level drops below 85%, you should consult a doctor.
8th. Keep notes of the measurements. You can print or download them to a computer if your pulse oximeter offers this feature.
9. Solve problems if the oximeter makes a mistake. If you believe that the device detects an inaccurate or inaccurate reading, perform the following steps:
- Make sure that no interferences occur (environmental influences or directly at the measuring point).
- Warm-up and rub the skin.
- Use a topical vasodilator to open the blood vessels (for example, a nitroglycerin-based cream).
- Try to attach the probe to another part of the body.
- Try another probe and pulse oximeter.
- If you still are not sure if the device is working correctly, consult your doctor.
Tips
- Do not worry if your oxygen level is not 100%. There are very few people who have this oxygen content.
Warnings
- Do not attach the pulse oximeter to an arm on which you have attached the automatic sphygmomanometer, as the flow of blood to the finger will be interrupted each time the cuff swells.
- If you are a smoker, it does not make sense to use the pulse oximeter because the device can not distinguish between normal oxygen saturation in hemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin saturation that occurs when smoking is inhaled.
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