jeudi 24 juillet 2014

Information About Recording Pulse Oximeter

By Rosella Campbell


Pulse oximetry is a measurement method used on patients to monitor O2 saturation in blood. This monitoring is done using a recording pulse oximeter. The gadget monitors and records any changes in the degree of oxygen concentration in blood cells and alerts the doctor. Notification can be in form of a sound and only happens when the level falls too low. Early medical intervention can therefore be done following the alerts.

Spectrophotometry is the main principle that the working of these gadgets bases on. This principle is dependent on the mode of absorption of red and infrared radiation by deoxygenated and oxygenated blood cells. These rates of absorption are recorded by the sensor and passed to the main machine for processing. The main machine gives fresh values at intervals of 0.5 or 1 seconds after processing. This high rate ensures high accuracy.

The gadget emits infrared and red lights from two light emitting diodes comprised in the sensor. When in use, the detectors and diodes should be opposite to each other. A tissue of about 5-10 mm should separate the detector from the diode. For this reason, the sensor of the oximeter must be attached onto thin tissues. Sensors are normally made to look like wraps or clips. According to recent findings, oxygen saturation is not effectively measured through earlobes.

These devices are very useful in any setting where the amount of oxygen saturation within the body needs to be known at all times. Such settings include emergency units, intensive care, operation rooms, and in recovery and treatment wards in hospitals. Patients are advised to keep calm or minimize major movements in order to ensure accuracy of the readings. Devices with recording capability are better because they maintain a history of all values taken over a given period.

Oximeters have several uses besides measuring oxygen saturation. First, oximetry can serve as a replacement for blood gas analysis except in cases where acid-base state or PaCO2 is necessary. This method is also cheaper, easier to perform, and less painful compared to many others. It also has a higher level of accuracy especially in cases where the patient is conscious. Recorded values can be used to determine variations and to set standards in patients.

Oximeters also prevent wastage of oxygen supplied to patients by keeping usage only to required levels. Intrapartum fetal monitoring and neonatal care are the other areas of usage. Use in neonatal care and intrapartum fetal monitoring are not developed and standardized fully but soon they will. First aid in modern ambulances is provided by these devices. GP kits are progressively getting equipped with oximeters.

In primary care, oximetry finds use in diagnosing and managing exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a location. It also helps in grading the level of seriousness of an asthma attack. An asthma attack is considered life-threatening is the level of saturation falls at or below 92 percent. Severity of bronchiolitis in children is also assessed and medically cared for through this method.

The recording function in recording oximeters makes them to cost a little higher than other models. Prices vary according to the degree of complexity. Stores that sell medical equipment are among the places one can buy these devices from.




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