Why is Pulse Oximetry important?
To know the oxygen saturation
level, or the oxygen levels in your blood, a noninvasive and painless test
called Pulse Oximetry has been carried by the doctors using various devices.
This test ensures doctors about the oxygen flow from the heart to various parts
of the patient’s body like the arms and legs.
It’s important to check Pulse Oximetry
to know the presence of enough oxygen in the blood. It’s useful in various medical treatments like:
>>During or after operations
or procedures that use sedation
>>To know the effectiveness
of the lung medicines given to the patient
>>To know the capability of
a patient to handle increased activity levels
>>To know if a ventilator
is required to ease breathing for a patient, or to check how well it’s working.
>>To keep track of the
moments, when patient’s stop breathing during sleep (sleep apnea)
Blood Oxygen levels get affected
during various medical conditions. Pulse Oximetry helps to treat major problems
that affect Oxygen levels in the blood, such as Heart Failure, Heart Stroke,
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Anemia, Lung cancer, Asthma,
Pneumonia etc..
Nowadays, very simple to use
clip-like devices are used by the physicians. With technical advancement and
modernization, the measurement devices improved a lot. Portability is
considered as an important aspect and devices are portable now. Accurate
results shown by Fingertip Pulse Oximeter improved the lives of people a
lot.
People can measure quick and
precise pulse rate and SpO2 blood oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin
levels, easily with Fingertip Pulse Oximeter.
Are there any risks/side-effects of pulse oximetry?
Pulse Oximeter has some
minor risks but not major ones. Risks that patient can face during Pulse
Oximetry are:
>> Inaccurate results, if
the probe disconnected from the earlobe, toe, or finger
>> Irritation on the skin
from the adhesive that used on the probe
Your physicians can explain more
about the risks, please discuss with them freely.
Is there any kind of preparation required before pulse oximetry?
Your Physician can explain best
regarding the preparations and the procedure to you. Feel free to ask any
questions you have about the pulse oximetry. If your physician will use a
finger probe, then the physician may be asked to remove nail polish from that
particular finger.
Your doctor may have other
instructions for you, so consult with your healthcare provider.
Pulse Oximetry Procedure:
A physician can start the
procedure as an outpatient, meaning a patient can go home on the same day. Or
Patient may have a longer stay in the hospital. Ways may vary depending upon
the complexity of the health issue.
Mostly, pulse oximetry will follow this process:
>>Probe, a clip-like device
will be placed on your finger or earlobe and it can be left on for ongoing
monitoring.
>>A physician can use pulse oximeter to take a single reading
as well. The probe will be removed after the readings.
There is nothing like complicated
after pulse oximetry and the patient can start normal routine like diet and
activities as instructed by the doctor.
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