Pulse Oximiter – Clinical Applications

Clinical Importance

Since its discovery in the 1900s, pulse oximeters have been widely used for the monitoring of patients suffering from cardiac and respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe chronic asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. The device provides a very safe, easy, and non invasive approach for continuous monitoring of the oxygenation status of a person. For this reason, this method is deemed to be ideal for the care of patients under critical conditions, both pediatric and adult.

The clinical significance of the pulse oximeter is greatly appreciated because of its highly accurate and immediate results that help health workers identify those persons requiring close monitoring especially during patient transport and narcotic administration.

With the introduction of the pulse oximeter, hypoxia related to the administration of anesthesia can be easily detected, thereby reducing the mortality rate secondary to this condition. In newborns, oxygen toxicity has been one of the major reasons for the development of an eye disease called retrolental fibroplasia or retinopathy of prematurity that could possibly lead to blindness. But now, the oxygen levels in neonates can already be monitored to prevent under and over administration hence, lowering the risks.
Measuring blood oxygenation with pulse oximetry also reduces the need for invasive procedures, such as drawing arterial blood for arterial blood gas analysis of oxygen levels.

Other Uses of Pulse Oximeters

While the application of pulse oximeters in the clinical settings is considered very valuable, apparently, its use outdoors has also been growing over the past years. Hence, measurement of oxygen saturation in the blood is not only confined within the four corners of the hospital.

Portable pulse oximeters such as the handheld and fingertip type have been very useful for pilots operating in a non-pressurized aircraft where supplemental oxygen is required. Athletes and sports buffs have also found the device very useful in checking their blood oxygen level during exercise. They just want to know how they are doing with their training without compromising their health. Low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia) are extremely life-threatening—it can cause irreversible brain damage within minutes, or worse, death.