What One Should Know About Recording Pulse Oximeter

By Annabelle Holman


Pulse oximetery is useful for recording two essential pieces of data from patients. The rate of the heart beat and the level of saturation of oxygen in blood are the two pieces of date captured. Since there is no penetration of the body of the patient, the method is referred to as non-invasive. A recording pulse oximeter makes it easier to determine the level of effectiveness of therapy in patients under CPAP therapy for apnea.

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.

Instant checking of the two parameters assists one to determine the effects of changes in air pressure and altitude on brain functions. The parameters are also normally a concern to individuals taking part in strenuous activities such as exercise. Before buying an oximeter, the buyer should check the presence of following features.

The display should be the first factor to consider when making a purchase. In ordinary devices with LED displays, heart rate and concentration of blood O2 are the only pieces of information displayed. However, additional information is presented on the screen in a better display in complex devices. Most common additional information includes perfusion index, battery level indicator, pulse waveform, various menus, and pulse meter. Different functions are opened by the menus depending on the brand of the gadget.

A good device should also have the alarm function. Alarm function is important in warning the patient when certain threshold values have been reached. Normally the user has the freedom of setting their own threshold. The user can therefore be warned when their heart beat or blood oxygen concentration rises or falls below a given pre-determined level. Another alarm function is for warning the user when the battery level falls below a certain level.

Users can choose from two major types of batteries. Standard alkaline and rechargeable lithium ion batteries are the two major types of batteries in use today. The rechargeable type is rechargeable upon being discharged hence can be reused. This makes them durable and cost effective unlike the alkaline types which become useless once they get discharged. Some oximeters can use both lithium ion and alkaline batteries. This gives users a wider range of flexibility to operate in.

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.

Extra functionalities can be checked after one ensures that all important functions are present. A device that can wirelessly have all real time values transmitted to the computer on which the software that accompanies the oximeter is installed is better off. Third parties like caregivers can gain from such capabilities.




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