Pulse oximeters refer to small, lightweight medical devices for monitoring pulse rate and SpO2 saturation levels in a human body. Today, every hospital, government, or private clinic and medical institutes have a pulse oximeter in their laboratory.
In fact, this oximetry technology has revolutionized healthcare science to the extent that households also have access to it. As a result, you can use a pulse oximeter while sitting at home and without the help of a physician.
This article discusses the different kinds of pulse oximeters. Moreover, it emphasizes research studies that assert that not all pulse oximeters are the same. Overall, the article examines the claims forward by medical scientists and practitioners and investigates its validity.
Pulse Oximetry: Objectives and Significance
The non-invasive scrutiny of oxygenation levels in the blood is a boon for the healthcare industry. However, despite its overarching usage, many are still unaware of its fundamental working mechanism. This article waves off the singularity attached to pulse oximetry and aims to elucidate major differences.
Most of the individuals think that pulse oximetry is a universally acknowledged technique of discerning the presence of SpO2 in hemoglobin. However, there is much more to it than this simple logistic evaluation.
As per research studies, pulse oximetry distinguishes between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobins. Further, it also reads how this difference recognizes the presence of oxygen within the arterial component of blood. This further premises the different conditions impacting this dichotomy in pulse oximetry.
Functions of Pulse Oximetry
Physicians denote pulse oximetry as the fifth vital sign in the medical and healthcare revolution across the globe. For this reason, it is safe and convenient to get oneself acquainted with the different types of pulse oximeters.
In fact, this knowledge also helps in interpreting the erroneous and faulty pulse oximetry readings at times.
Pulse oximetry works on two principal functions:
The difference between oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb)
The method of calculating SpO2 from the arterial component of blood
The Difference of Functions between Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Pulse Oximetry
As mentioned above, pulse oximetry works on two different principles. To comprehend their working dynamics, it is essential to discern the difference of functions between oxygenated and deoxygenated pulse oximetry.
Some of the primary differences between these two principles are as follows:
The difference absorption capacity of red and near-infrared (IR) light due to their different wavelengths.
As per laboratory studies, oxygenated pulse oximetry absorbs more red light as compared to the deoxygenated method.
On the other hand, deoxygenated pulse oximetry absorbs more near-infrared (IR) light than its oxygenated counterpart.
Thus, O2Hb scatters more light as opposed to HHb.
Pros and Cons of the Different Types of Pulse Oximetry Methods
Painless fingertip pulse oximetry invites critical attention in both oxygenated and deoxygenated techniques. For this, it is necessary to analyze the two different pulse oximetry probes and how they impact the above-discussed methods.
Generally, there are two significant probes attached to pulse oximetry:
Reusable Clip Probes
It refers to the usage of the same pulse oximeter on fingers, nose, ears, etc.
The employment of these probes is rapid to take low amplitude wave samples from different parts of the body.
A cost-effective means to simultaneously measure oxygenation and deoxygenation blood levels in multiple patients.
Single Patient Adhesive Probes
It refers to the usage of a single probe over an individual patient to avoid the reuse of probes on multiple patients.
These probes curtail the transmission of nosocomial infections.
Safe and secure in case of numerous patient mobility
Therefore, the physicians recommend the utilization of these probes as per needful circumstances. Besides, doctors may have to perform a hit and trial method to recognize the optimality of a specific probe in a particular situation.
For example, single patient adhesive probes may be more beneficial in the case of hypotensive and vasoconstrictive patients.
Reasons for Erronity in Pulse Oximeters
As discussed previously, pulse oximetry is vulnerable to indeliberate erroneousness and faulty readings. The reasons for the same are as follows:
Hypovolemia and Vasoconstriction
Poisoning due to the presence of Carbon Monoxide
Venous Pulsations
Excessive Movement during pulse oximetry test
Abnormal hemoglobin history
Nail polish on fingernails
Anemia and Hypoxemia
Faulty positioning of the probe
Septic shock
Methemoglobinemia
Thus, physicians and medical practitioners must consider these reasons for erroneous pulse oximetry readings before proceeding further. This is because faulty readings will furnish peculiar results which may lead to false positive and false negative test reports.
Ultimately, a physician needs to check which type of pulse oximetry method is useful in a specific situation. For this, a thorough knowledge about its concepts, features, objectives, and functions is mandatory.
Summing Up
Altogether, pulse oximetry is a highly complex technique to monitor oxygenation and deoxygenation levels in hemoglobin. It requires expertise concerning its multiple working dynamics and concretized probes.
And after understanding this, you can purchase a suitable pulse oximeter for your hospital or clinic. Browse through the different pulse oximeters available on https://zepnurhealth.com/.
Login into our website for further details and information on different types of pulse oximeters. ZEPNURhealth offers you a multi-purpose domain for healthcare solutions and services.
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