Rx Note

Introduction Pulse oximetry measures peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) as a surrogate marker for tissue oxygenation. It has become the standard for continuous, non-invasive assessment of oxygenation. Pulse oximetry uses spectrophotometry to determine the proportion of haemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen (i.e. oxyhaemoglobin) in peripheral arterial blood. How to Use a Pulse Oximeter NOTES: Ensure the finger you are going to use ( index finger or middle finger ) does not have any nail varnish, polish or a false nail on it, as these block the light sensor. The best reading is achieved when your hand is warm, relaxed and held below the level of your heart . Skin pigment significantly impacts the accuracy of pulse oximetry. Extensive recent data shows that in patients with darker skin tones, pulse oximetry often overestimates oxygen saturation, leading to clinically important hypoxaemia remaining undetected and untreated. Motion can induce considerable error into pulse...