Choosing The Best Pulse Oximeter

When trying to choose the best pulse oximeter for your medical needs, it is really important to learn a bit about how they work. Knowledge will play a vital role in assessing the products on offer, and getting the right one for you.

What Does The Best Pulse Oximeter Feature?

The finger pulse oximeter is a technological development that has revolutionized the medical profession since the 1980's. This small hand held device is used to measure the oxygen saturation levels in a persons blood. It also measures heart rate an pulse strength. These are used in hospitals, by paramedics and emergency medical technicians, but doctor's surgeries, and even by people in the comfort of their own homes.

The pulse oximeter is simple to use, simply clipping over the end of the patient's finger. Using light emitting diodes, it can measure the hemoglobin saturation levels by measuring the ratios of light absorption between oxygenated and de-oxygenated hemoglobin. Normal saturation levels are at least 95%, preferably 100%, and the fingertip pulse oximeter will calculate this for you, telling you if your levels are too low.

When looking to buy the best pulse oximeter, there are a few things you need to consider before buying.

Steps To Selecting The Best Pulse Oximeter For You

Step 1.

Make sure you select a pulse oximeter that is appropriate to your needs. This sounds like an obvious point, but there are a number of different units on the market, all targeted at differing user groups. Adult oximeters are suitable for 'most' adults, pediatric oximeters are for young children, and are often fitted with an alarm that can be set to go off at a certain level, oximeters designed for sleep apnea and cpap users. These will often have a recording feature that will allow them to monitor blood oxygen throughout the night, ensuring that cpap therapy is correctly set.

The hand-held portable oximeters are generally for home use, with the larger models being for hospital use, and can generally be attached to monitors and other devices. The finger oximeters are equally useful for home, sports, and other medical uses.

Step 2.

Budget is important when trying to get the best pulse oximeter for your money. Pulse oximeters have fallen in price massively over recent years, and you can now pick up a good model for just over $20. This seems like a bargain, and it is, but depending on the level of monitoring you want, you can expect to pay up to $100 or more for a really versatile oximeter. All you are looking for is reliable oxygen saturation monitoring, fancy displays and other niceties are not always necessary.

Step 3.

The Best Pulse Oximeter is simple to use. As you will generally be the person using the device and taking the readings, it's essential that you get a product you understand, and find easy to use. Most people want to be able to slip it onto their finger and press the button. That's it! Get one that does the basics that meet your needs, and no more. You'll just get confused and fed up with having to constantly address the manual.

Step 4.

Always do regular checks to make sure the pulse oximeter is working properly and within acceptable tolerances. If you have to visit the hospital for checkups, take your unit with you and test it against the hospital's calibrated machine. It will allow you to be confident that your readings are accurate.

Step 5.

Test your new pulse oximeter as soon as you get it. Put in the batteries, slip it on your finger, and make sure that you get a SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) reading within a few seconds. Your pulse rate should also show up, and you can also do a manual test with a finger and a watch to make sure the machine is providing the right reading.

Step 6.

Once you are taking daily readings, keep a log of the outcomes, and take these to your doctor each time you have an appointment. If you are concerned about the readings, pay your health care professional a visit. Sharing information will help you to gain control over your condition, and allow for more bespoke treatment plans to be formulated.

Buying a pulse oximeter is simple, and many of the online stores like Amazon offer a great range. Check them out here. If you are buting a O2 saturation monitor for medical use, try to get an FDA approved model. Consult with your GP as to what you need the device to do, and buy accordingly. You won't have to spend a fortune on getting the best pulse oximeter for your needs.

Resources:

How to Measure Oxygen Saturation Using Pulse Oximeter - WikiHow

Overview Of The Pulse Oximeter - Wikipedia