Factors To Consider When Choosing Wrist Pulse Oximeters

By Rosella Campbell


Traditionally, technology was not as pronounced as it is right now. It was somehow cumbersome to examine certain vital body and fluid measurements. One such measurement is oxygen saturation and simply denotes how the blood is oxygenated. This process was done traditionally in an invase way by drawing some samples of blood. As such, the clinical officers had a problem of getting real time measurements. There was thus a dire need for a non-invasive way of determining the level of saturation, which paved way for the development of the technique employed in wrist pulse oximeters.

An Oximeter is simply a tool that is employed in checking the rate of pulse and the amount of oxygen available in the blood. In hospitals, the gadget is vital as it helps clinicians examine patients suffering from such conditions related to respiration as unconsciousness, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and those that are sedated. Such patients are not in a position to control their very own supply of oxygen. It counteracts irreversible tissue supply and is broadly connected in healing facilities, surgical rooms and in homes.

In the medical field, the equipment comes handy to patients with asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory conditions including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The same tool is applied by those individuals working and exercising from high altitudes such as pilots and even mountain climbers. It helps the especially in guarding against a condition known as hypoxia. This also explains why some athletes carry them on their person while training, particularly in the high altitudes. It is found to increase increases their endurance and enhance their training.

The benefits accruing from such a vital gadget are indispensable. To begin with, the mobility of the equipment makes it readily accepted and appreciated. It is free from external cabling or power source that could otherwise make it cumbersome. Their attachment to the wrist is called for especially to those in need of constant monitoring. They are relatively light in weight and come in convenient sizes.

In terms of operation, the equipment require basic know-how. There is no specialized expertise as far as such gadgets are concerned. However, the only part that requires some skill is the practice of transferring the data. Drawing reading has never been this easy as it is with the instrument. These implements have quite robust displays that enable readings to be made.

It is economical to use wrist Oximeters compared to the handheld and other types. This is due their low prices and close availability. Also, the use of wrist meters is not confined to a particular group of people, but rather embraced widely and by all age groups. The only factor that determines which particular meter to use is the size of the wrist.

The readings from the instrument can also be stored. It has a memory that offers data storage and facilitates programming for particular readings within specified set time frames. The equipment also offers data storage. They are capable of keeping data and being programmed to provide readings within set time frames to facilitate for the reading of saturation levels. They can also be fitted with some software and connected to a computer for generation of reports.

However, just like any other machine, it has its own setbacks. The only shortcoming is that they cannot be used in such avenues as sleep screening due to absence of alarms. It is even more inappropriate to employ them in spot checking as a main function. Though they support sport checking, they are not the most ideal when spot checking is actually the main function.




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