Pulse oximetery helps to record two important pieces of information about patients. These two pieces of data are the rate at which the heart beats and the percentage of blood oxygen saturation. This method is considered non-invasive because no kind of penetration is done to the body. Patients who are under CPAP therapy for apnea can use a recording pulse oximeter to determine how effective the efficiency is.
Apnea activities lead to a drop in blood oxygen percentage during the night when they are taking place. Such drops can be recorded by oximeters with recording capability and used to compare with previous recordings made. The efficiency of therapy can be determined basing on the variations found in the recordings. Te extra features incorporated in modern devices make it important to own one of them. For example, spot checks for heart rates and oxygen saturation are possible in modern brands.
Instant checking of the two parameters assists one to determine the effects of changes in air pressure and altitude on brain functions. The parameters are also normally a concern to individuals taking part in strenuous activities such as exercise. Before buying an oximeter, the buyer should check the presence of following features.
The first factor to consider is the display the device has. Ordinary devices will normally show only two pieces of information, the heart rate and blood O2 concentration in LED display. However, in more advanced devices, additional information may be displayed in a better display. The additional information may include perfusion index, pulse meter, pulse waveform, battery level indicator, and various menus. The menus open different functions depending on the model of the device.
All good devices include the alarm function. Alarms are vital because they warn users when threshold values are exceeded or have fallen below. Normally the threshold values can be determined by the user themselves. Users therefore get warned when blood oxygen saturation or heart rate falls or exceeds a certain level. The alarm also warns users when the battery is empty or below a certain percentage.
Oximeters may have one of the two major kinds of batteries. The major battery types in use today are the standard alkaline and rechargeable lithium ion. The lithium ion type can be recharged by electricity when it gets discharged. Because of this, lithium ion batteries are considered cost effective and durable unlike the un-rechargeable alkaline types. Both alkaline and lithium ion batteries can be used in some models of oximeters. This allows users some level of flexibility in their choices.
One must never ignore comfort in the device. The user should be comfortable with how tightly the device fits on the area of attachment. Clip-based devices that are attached to the finger should be comfortable even after being used for hours especially at night. One can switch the fingers if discomfort is felt.
Additional functionalities may be checked after ensuring that the important ones are present. Normally oximeters have accompanying software that is installed on a PC. Devices with wireless capability transmit recorded data to the PC in real time. Caregivers and other third parties can benefit from such capabilities.
Apnea activities lead to a drop in blood oxygen percentage during the night when they are taking place. Such drops can be recorded by oximeters with recording capability and used to compare with previous recordings made. The efficiency of therapy can be determined basing on the variations found in the recordings. Te extra features incorporated in modern devices make it important to own one of them. For example, spot checks for heart rates and oxygen saturation are possible in modern brands.
Instant checking of the two parameters assists one to determine the effects of changes in air pressure and altitude on brain functions. The parameters are also normally a concern to individuals taking part in strenuous activities such as exercise. Before buying an oximeter, the buyer should check the presence of following features.
The first factor to consider is the display the device has. Ordinary devices will normally show only two pieces of information, the heart rate and blood O2 concentration in LED display. However, in more advanced devices, additional information may be displayed in a better display. The additional information may include perfusion index, pulse meter, pulse waveform, battery level indicator, and various menus. The menus open different functions depending on the model of the device.
All good devices include the alarm function. Alarms are vital because they warn users when threshold values are exceeded or have fallen below. Normally the threshold values can be determined by the user themselves. Users therefore get warned when blood oxygen saturation or heart rate falls or exceeds a certain level. The alarm also warns users when the battery is empty or below a certain percentage.
Oximeters may have one of the two major kinds of batteries. The major battery types in use today are the standard alkaline and rechargeable lithium ion. The lithium ion type can be recharged by electricity when it gets discharged. Because of this, lithium ion batteries are considered cost effective and durable unlike the un-rechargeable alkaline types. Both alkaline and lithium ion batteries can be used in some models of oximeters. This allows users some level of flexibility in their choices.
One must never ignore comfort in the device. The user should be comfortable with how tightly the device fits on the area of attachment. Clip-based devices that are attached to the finger should be comfortable even after being used for hours especially at night. One can switch the fingers if discomfort is felt.
Additional functionalities may be checked after ensuring that the important ones are present. Normally oximeters have accompanying software that is installed on a PC. Devices with wireless capability transmit recorded data to the PC in real time. Caregivers and other third parties can benefit from such capabilities.
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