Finger Pulse Oximeter

Finger Puzzle Oximeter

Benefits and Uses

Before finger pulse oximetry was adopted for widespread use in western countries, clinicians had to depend on symptoms of cyanosis to diagnose problems with arterial blood oxygen levels. This was a constant concern, because severe respiratory failure can occur when blood oxygen saturation levels fall below 85 to 90%, and symptoms of cyanosis do not appear until levels fall below 75%.

Blood draws are required to assess blood gas conditions in the absence of pulse oximeters, limiting where and how often a reading can be taken. Pulse oximeters therefore represent an important improvement over the old method, by providing a non-invasive procedure for continuously monitoring oxygen saturation levels in arterial blood, anywhere, at anytime.

A glance at a few health insurance policies reveal home use is covered in only limited situations. This includes patients suffering from chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions that require supplemental oxygen, patients who are being weaned from supplemental oxygen, anyone at risk for unstable oxygen saturation levels as they go about their day, and for periods when a caregiver cannot be present.

Typically, these medical conditions have to be severe enough to require the use of a home ventilator. Conditions not covered by some insurance policies include less severe cases of asthma and suspected sleep apnea, though you should consult with your health care provider concerning your own policy limitations.

During the period since finger pulse oximeters became standard equipment in clinics and hospitals, dramatic design improvements have occurred. The increased reliability, lower cost, ease of use, and reduced size, has led to an increased number of people purchasing these devices for uses unrelated to caring for someone suffering from a severe respiratory disease at home.

While browsing through customer comments it became apparent that many who have purchased a pulse oximeter for home use have saved themselves a great deal of time and expense. For example, it’s hard sometimes to distinguish between an asthma attack that requires a trip to the emergency room, and one that can be managed at home. The use of a pulse oximeter can help diagnose the severity of the attack as it is happening, at home.

Sleep apnea is another condition that would benefit from the use of a pulse oximeter at home, especially one that can record saturation levels all night long. If nocturnal readings fall below the normal range, discuss treatment options with your doctor.

Although online searches haven’t revealed anyone using or recommending a home pulse oximeter to help with a smoking cessation effort, it’s hard to imagine this kind of feedback wouldn’t help motivate someone quitting for health reasons. Other uses for a finger pulse oximeter include monitoring oxygen saturation levels in pilots who fly above 5,000 feet in unpressurized aircraft, and athletes who like to run marathons or climb mountains.

Whether purchasing a finger pulse oximeter to help reduce medical expenses, diagnose sleep apnea, or as required equipment for an ascent up Mt. Everest, the dramatic design improvements and lower cost, almost ensures that the will be money well spent.

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