pulse oximeter
plus of the pulse oximeter
Emergency rooms measure the oxygen levels of COVID-19 patients with a device called a pulse oximeter. The tool is available over the counter as well and enables people to monitor their oxygen levels at home. It can work as an early warning system for the breathing problems and low oxygen saturation levels associated with COVID-19 pneumonia and encourage patients to seek treatment in time.
how to use it
According to Dr. Richard Levitan, an emergency medicine physician in Franklin, New Hampshire, a pulse oximeter is easier and simpler to use than a blood pressure cuff or even a thermometer. The pulse oximeter looks a little like an oversized clothes pin, and it is clipped on to the tip of your finger, giving it a slight pinch. Within seconds, the device gives you a reading of your oxygen blood level and heart rate in two clear, lit up numbers.
counter argument
Dr. Elissa Perkins, a professor of emergency medicine at Boston Medical Center, doesn’t necessarily think everyone needs to buy a pulse oximeter. She worries that people will depend on the device’s reading rather than calling a doctor if they’re feeling sick. “I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say that people should all have these at home,” says Perkins, though she understands why people would want them.
how to read your oximeter
Dr. Mike Hansen is a medical doctor who is both an internist and an intensivist as well as a pulmonologist, he specializes in internal medicine, pulmonary disease and critical care medicine. Listen to what he has to say concerning a responsible handling of the pulse oximeter.
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price tag
How much does a pulse oximeter cost? Prices have dropped recently, pulse oximeters of good quality are available for about $100 or less. However, there are even far cheaper oximeters available online.
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medical disclaimer
This website may contain general information relating to various medical conditions and their treatment. Such information is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for advice provided by a doctor or other qualified health care professional.
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