Why are Pulse oximeters a necessity amid Covid-19 pandemic and How does it work?

Team Udayavani, Aug 4, 2020, 4:58 PM IST

Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive and painless test that measures your oxygen saturation level, or the oxygen levels in your blood. Once the oximeter finishes its assessment, its screen will display the percent of oxygen in your blood coming from your heart as well as your current pulse rate

If  noticed a drop, it would be needed to go in for tests as low oxygen levels are one of the indicators of Covid-19. A good oximeter is available between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000.

How to use a pulse oximeter

A small clamp-like device must be placed on a finger, earlobe, or toe.

It will make you feel a small amount of pressure. Remove fingernail polish before placing and Turn on the probe.

Small beams of light pass through the blood in the finger, measuring the amount of oxygen. It does this by measuring changes of light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood.

Within a few seconds the pulse oximeter will tell you your oxygen saturation levels along with your heart rate and PI%

After its done, take off the probe and it will shut down automatically. If the count shows under 95, consult a doctor