The use of oximeters has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. As is known, the COVID-19 virus can lower a sufferer’s oxygen saturation. An oximeter is a non-invasive test device for measuring oxygen saturation levels.
Oximeters are able to detect changes in oxygen levels quickly, making them very useful for monitoring the condition of COVID-19 sufferers. So, here are the benefits and the right way to use an oximeter.
Benefits of an Oximeter You Need to Know
Oximeters are often used by healthcare professionals to monitor the health of people with conditions that affect blood oxygen levels, especially while in the hospital. In addition to COVID-19 infection, oximeters are also frequently used to monitor the respiratory rate of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, anemia, heart attack or heart failure, and congenital heart disease.
In addition to monitoring oxygen levels in patients with the conditions mentioned above, doctors often use oximeters for the following reasons:
- Assessing how well lung medications are working.
- Evaluating whether someone needs breathing assistance.
- Evaluating ventilator function.
- Monitoring oxygen levels during or after surgical procedures that require sedation.
- Determining whether someone needs supplemental oxygen therapy.
- Determining how effective supplemental oxygen therapy is, especially when someone is undergoing a new medication.
- Assessing someone’s ability to tolerate increased physical activity.
- Evaluating whether someone stops breathing briefly during sleep, as in cases of sleep apnea.
