Oximeters

[maggiegirl]

Hi I bought an oximeter but my reading range from 97 to 92 even when sitting just wonder if it is faulty

does anyone know why.

[Hidden]

You need to check your recent purchase with an oximeter that is used by a medical professional (or two) to be sure of its accuracy.

You might want to read this pdf doc produced by the American Thoracic organisation "patient information series" (there may well be a UK equivalent if you want to delve further on the web search)

patients.thoracic.org/infor...

Its worth reading the entire 2 page pdf - one paragraph says:

How accurate is the pulse oximeter?

The oxygen level from a pulse oximeter is

reasonably accurate. Most oximeters give a reading

2% over or 2% under what your saturation would

be if obtained by an arterial blood gas. For example,

if your oxygen saturation reads 92% on the pulse

oximeter, it may be actually anywhere from 90 to

94%. The oximeter reading may be less accurate if a

person is wearing nail polish, artificial nails, has cold

hands, or has poor circulation. A pulse oximeter

may also be less accurate with very low oxygen

saturation levels (below 80%) or with very dark skin.

---------------------------

the 2% discrepancy / inaccuracy could be essentially very important / detrimental to some patients which is why some UK doc's get upset when their patients use them and also because some patient's are not fully aware of how certain things may affect an inaccurate reading, not to mention the pulse oximeter will give an inaccurate reading when the battery is running low.

Personally I feel they can be a very helpful aid to some patients when used correctly and in accordance with the advice from their GP or consultant.

Enjoy using your new oximeter.

.... there are other posts about this subject you may be interested in reading, just use the site search (top right).

[Hergernt]

Oximeters are used as a guide to your oxygen saturation when the doctors require a reading that has greater accuracy they perform ABG's (arterial blood gases) they do not posses or require a more accurate guide than the same oximeters that are commercially available.

Monitoring your own condition using the results produced as a guide to how activity is affecting your oxygen levels will be of greater aid to managing your condition than scaremongers that believe ignorance is bliss disregarding the power gained with knowledge.

[Hidden]

Maggie, quite a few things could cause this discrepancy. Cold hands, poor circulation, nail polish, what you have just been doing (for example, walking upstairs then checking it may give a lower reading than reading a book then checking it). It also does not always give a true reading immediately and should be left in place for a couple of minutes before you read it. As Zoee says, taking the oxymeter with you when you go to a medical appointment gives you the opportunity to check the reading against the one they take (I put mine on my other hand whilst they were taking a reading). Once you get used to it it can serve as a good guide for you. Good luck.

[chang]

Taking your readings whilst recording your activity in a note book can provide information on how your condition is managed which is encouraged as part of patient self management. In my experience no doctors have frowned upon the use of oximeters working in partnership with patients who are informed and experienced at knowing their own bodies, in time you will be able to tell what your readings will be by how you feel (re-assuring when you have results that show the reason for being how it feels) part of the discovery of the unique person within us.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I test mine now and again on my partner as I know hers is about 97%. Mine is 88-90%.

[maggiegirl]

Thank you for all your advice I have an appointment on Tthursday at hospital got results of my ct scan I will check my oximeter against hospital reading again thank you

Maggie

[kris123]

I bought my oximeter for flying to see if I need the prescribed oxygen. When I put in on first it seems OK but the longer I leave it on (after about 5 seconds)it drops to around 87! Is there a battery in there? Or is there something wrong with it? Don't feel any different and not moving.

[Hidden]

As I said earlier Chris, it does not always give a true reading immediately and should be left in place for a couple of minutes before you read it. This is how the medics do it.