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.

Being able to check the 2 parameters on the spot helps in determining how normal brain functions are affected by changes in height and air pressure. People involved in strenuous activities like exercising normally want to know the rates of their heart and blood O2 saturation. Buyers should check for the features discussed below before buying an oximeter.

The display should be the first factor to consider when making a purchase. Ordinary devices based on LED displays display heart rates and saturation of O2 in blood as the only pieces of information. Complex devices however, display more data on a better screen. Most common additional data displayed includes pulse waveform, various menus, pulse meter, perfusion index, and battery level indicator. Depending on the make of product, the menus open various functions.

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.

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.

Comfort is a factor that must never be overlooked. A good gadget is one that allows some level of comfort to the user. Although most clip-based designs are placed on the finger, one should ensure that they are comfortable even after hours of using the gadget. If there is any form of discomfort, the fingers can always be switched.

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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