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samedi 2 août 2014

What One Should Know About Recording Pulse Oximeter

By Annabelle Holman


Pulse oximetery is useful for recording two essential pieces of data from patients. The rate of the heart beat and the level of saturation of oxygen in blood are the two pieces of date captured. Since there is no penetration of the body of the patient, the method is referred to as non-invasive. A recording pulse oximeter makes it easier to determine the level of effectiveness of therapy in patients under CPAP therapy for apnea.

Research has indicated that at night time when apnea activities are happening, blood oxygen level reduces. Such drops in oxygen level can be recorded over time and then used to compare with previous recordings hence helping in determining if therapy is helping or not. Oximeters with recording capabilities have several features that make them worth having. For instance, heart rates and blood oxygen concentration levels are able to be determined on the spot.

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 display should be the first factor to consider when making a purchase. In ordinary devices with LED displays, heart rate and concentration of blood O2 are the only pieces of information displayed. However, additional information is presented on the screen in a better display in complex devices. Most common additional information includes perfusion index, battery level indicator, pulse waveform, various menus, and pulse meter. Different functions are opened by the menus depending on the brand of the gadget.

A good device should also have the alarm function. Alarm function is important in warning the patient when certain threshold values have been reached. Normally the user has the freedom of setting their own threshold. The user can therefore be warned when their heart beat or blood oxygen concentration rises or falls below a given pre-determined level. Another alarm function is for warning the user when the battery level falls below a certain level.

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.

Comfort should be placed at the foremost of all considerations. The device should fit comfortably on the area it is attached. Since clip-based gadgets are used even at night, they should remain comfortable after several hours of use. Finger switching can also be done if any form of discomfort is felt.

After checking that all the important factors are well, one may check for extra functions like Bluetooth or wireless capabilities. A device that can wirelessly transmit real time values to the computer running the software is better off. Such capabilities are important to third parties like caregivers.




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