Information About Recording Pulse Oximeter

By Annabelle Holman


Data collected over time through pulse oximetry can be used to check two types of information about a patient. The two pieces of information are blood oxygen saturation percentage and the heart rate. This method is non-invasive and does not involve penetrating the body in any way. For patients receiving CPAP therapy for apnea, a recording pulse oximeter can be used to determine the efficiency of the therapy.

According to research blood oxygen percentage drops at night when apnea activities are taking place. Oximeters with recording functionalities can record such drops for use in comparing with previous recordings. Variations in the comparisons can be based on to determine the efficiency of therapy. Additional features in oximeters with recording capabilities make it worthwhile to own one of these devices. For instance, one can determine their heart rate and saturation of oxygen in blood on the spot.

Ability to check the 2 aspects on the spot is useful in determining things like effect of height and changes in air pressure on normal brain functions. When exercising or involved in strenuous activities, one may want to know their heart rates and oxygen concentration in blood. These devices have certain features that a buyer should check out for before settling for any specific product.

The first factor to consider is the display the device has. Ordinary devices will normally show only two pieces of information, the heart rate and blood O2 concentration in LED display. However, in more advanced devices, additional information may be displayed in a better display. The additional information may include perfusion index, pulse meter, pulse waveform, battery level indicator, and various menus. The menus open different functions depending on the model of the device.

An alarm function is incorporated in all good devices. The user is normally warned by the alarm when threshold values fall or exceed a given level. Threshold values are normally set by the users themselves. Therefore users receive a warning to know that the threshold blood oxygen saturation or heart rate has been surpassed or has dropped. Users are also warned when batteries fall below a certain level.

Oximeters may have one of the two major kinds of batteries. The major battery types in use today are the standard alkaline and rechargeable lithium ion. The lithium ion type can be recharged by electricity when it gets discharged. Because of this, lithium ion batteries are considered cost effective and durable unlike the un-rechargeable alkaline types. Both alkaline and lithium ion batteries can be used in some models of oximeters. This allows users some level of flexibility in their choices.

One must never ignore comfort in the device. The user should be comfortable with how tightly the device fits on the area of attachment. Clip-based devices that are attached to the finger should be comfortable even after being used for hours especially at night. One can switch the fingers if discomfort is felt.

After checking that all the important factors are well, one may check for extra functions like Bluetooth or wireless capabilities. A device that can wirelessly transmit real time values to the computer running the software is better off. Such capabilities are important to third parties like caregivers.




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