How To Monitor Oxygen Saturation

An oxygen saturation monitor, also known as a pulse oximeter, is a non invasive medical apparatus which is used to monitor the saturation of oxygen in the blood, rather than having to use blood samples. The total percentage of oxygen saturation is given as a digital reading along with a signal which varies in pitch depending on the amount of oxygen saturation. The oxygen saturation monitor is connected to a hospital monitor to allow staff to quickly view the oxygenation of a patient.

Typically the oxygen monitor features diodes that emit light, these diodes are located opposite a photodiode which is able to be seen through a thin part of the body; common places include the earlobe or fingertip. Because the arterial blood vessels contract and expand in time with each heart beat, the signal being monitored bounces at the same time. Only the parts of varying absorption are examined therefore the monitor is able to pay attention only to arterial blood related absorption.

Because of the speed and simplicity of the oxygen monitor is highly important and can be used in any situation a patient presents with unstable oxygen levels. The pulse oximeter is commonly used throughout hospital intensive care wards and operating theatres in order to determine whether supplemental oxygen is required and whether it is proving effective. Portable pulse oximeters are also available and are extremely useful in non-pressurized cockpits in which pilots require supplemental oxygen. They also come in handy for athletes and mountain climbers because at high altitudes oxygen levels are likely to decrease. Portable pulse oximeters may also contain software that produces a report acting as a reminder to check bloody oxygen levels.

Monitoring patients requirements for oxygen is the most important element within emergency departments and hospital wards. It also has the ability to discover any abnormal ventilation patterns. In some cases this feature is impaired when detecting hypoventilation when supplemental oxygen is used. This is because patients are required to breathe regular air within the room in order to obtain an accurate reading for abnormal ventilation. Therefore in this case using supplemental oxygen would deem to be unnecessary if the patient has the ability to maintain enough oxygenation from the air in the room, especially since hypoventilation can go undetected as a result.

The pulse oximeter is not a comprehensive solution to determine the need for oxygen. When patients appear to have normal levels of oxygen in their blood, they may still suffer from respiratory problems because of excess carbon dioxide.
Whether the patient has sufficient circulation levels is unable to be measured correctly also; with insufficient blood flow tissue can still suffer from hypoxia even if though there is a high level of oxygen saturation.