07/01/2022
Do I know what is a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter? Do Every Household Need Fingertip Pulse Oximeter?
A Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is a device that can give us an important knowledge about our health condition during Covid-19 and for any other respiratory associated sickness. A simple home gadget which can give quick signal for medical attention to patients.
This popular device is aggressively advertised everywhere but do I know what is a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter? A Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is a Non-Invasive method to monitor a person’s blood oxygen saturation. The device is designed to clip onto our finger and within seconds the screen will light-up with numbers and waves to indicate our blood oxygen saturation level. While, most healthy person gets an oxygen reading around 95% to 100% and a health compromised person might have a lower reading. While many Covid-19 patients could have died due to “happy hypoxia”, which means oxygen deficiency, some may be saved if this condition is detected in time.
Furthermore, fingertip pulse oximeter also shows our heart rate. A normal adult heart rate usually ranges from about 60 to 100 beats per minute. It is important to know our normal “oxygen saturation” and “pulse rate reading” as this will enable us to make decision on whether we need to self-quarantine or go to hospital for admission when infected with Covid-19 or other respiratory illness.
In a recent FMT report dated 19th September 2021, the former Malaysia Prime Minister suggested “Make Pulse Oximeters compulsory to prevent the deaths of Covid-19 patients outside hospitals”. As the results, the Malaysia Government volunteered to provide care kits to B40 low-income families. The total cost for the care kits is RM471 Million. The Covid-19 Care Kits includes pulse oximeter, reusable face masks, four covid-19 self-test kits, thermometer and a user guide leaflet.
So, coming back to the question, do every household need to have Fingertip Pulse Oximeter? Yes, we seriously do!
Now, let’s learn how to properly use a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter?
We should insert our index or middle finger into a pulse oximeter. If placed correctly, we will notice light shining through our finger to a detector. The device will detect hemoglobin, a protein molecule in the blood that carries oxygen. The absorption of hemoglobin, light changes and this is used to determine the level of oxygen the blood carries.
Short finger nails will be easier to insert the finger accurately in the clip and those without nail polish will give accurate reading.
Lessons to remember when using a pulse oximeter, the device function well when the fingers are warm and take the measurement few times a day with different posture (siting, walking, exercising).
What Do I do if the Oxygen Level Drop?
First and foremost, look for the symptoms when the oxygen level drop below 88% and some of the signs are:
- Profuse sweating
- Loss of coordination
- Rapid or infrequent heartbeat
- Heavy breathing
- High blood pressure
- Headache
- dyspnea;
- skin colour changes towards the blue
- Brain confusion (memory, problems of mood and concentration)
In any given time, if the oxygen level drop to lower than 92%, get medical attention. If you have an oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator at home, start using it while taking the patient to the hospital.
Most importantly, don’t panic!
What are the risks when we monitor oxygen level at home?
The user problem or faulty device can be the risks when we monitor oxygen level at home. The user needs to have the knowledge and the competency to use the gadget at home to get the accurate reading and interpret correctly for decision making. At the same time, the device must be of reasonable quality.
Home users, need to be on their guard or be alert to look out for the symptoms and not only rely on the device. If there is an inaccurate reading, test it on a healthy person to make sure it is working well and record it down to discuss with a doctor during appointments or check-up.
Tips to remember! Home monitoring should not give you a false expectation of safety or good health!
How can I decide which one to buy?
As a buyer we need to have the accurate or good quality fingertip pulse oximeter and decide if it is for use on an adult or child. This small device, brings me to a recent conversation with a reputable person who is well known in the medical business. She was sharing with a common group that her friend purchased this gadget online and only used it once before it failed. So don’t be deceived with low price or nice looking, gadgets.
A video was circulating in social media as a joke that even a biscuit placed in the fingertip pulse oximeter will give a reading!
However, a good quality fingertip pulse oximeter will provide you with accurate readings and it can be a life-saving tool.
Things to look for in a good fingertip pulse oximeter are:
- Check for accuracy in reading (read customer review)
- Brighter and clear display
- Certification from
- MDA, CE, FDA (Quality Standards)
- Look for a warranty
- Durability of the pulse oximeter
- Price
In my recent research on the online platform, I found there are many types of a fingertip pulse oximeter that are being sold locally in Malaysia and from other countries.
The price ranges from RM3.50 up to RM199.00 and there are hundreds of companies that are selling it due to the surge in demand.
Respimedic, forte in fingertip pulse oximeter have all the elements that have been listed above and locally many hospitals have purchased them. Some Ministers have even bought from us for charity. It is a well-proven device in the market at a reasonable price.
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