Most people with Covid do not need to be in hospital. One of the hospital-at-home measurements that can inform health professionals of your health status is monitoring blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter. A pulse oximeter is a simple device that clips onto your finger to measure oxygen levels (oxygen saturation) of the blood. It provides a number which is the percentage of oxygen in the blood compared to the maximum that can be carried.
A normal oxygen saturation level falls in the range of 95% to 100%. If your percentage falls below this range, it is considered below normal and called hypoxemia. If you have a health condition such as COPD or heart disease, your numbers may be lower than the normal range. Your doctor will discuss what numbers are considered acceptable when it comes to your blood oxygen levels.
One of the most important early signs of Covid deteriorating is a fall in the levels of oxygen in the blood and this can happen before the person feels particularly unwell. A pulse oximeter quickly illustrates any deterioration before it becomes critical. On following the readings you can immediately understand whether you are stable or not.
How to Use My Pulse Oximeter Properly?
To ensure an accurate reading, follow the steps below:
- Follow your doctor’s recommendation on how often to measure your oxygen levels and when.
- Remove any nail polish or artificial nails before clipping on the pulse oximeter as they may prevent the device from providing an accurate reading or a result at all.
- Make sure your hand is warm and relaxed. Rest your hand on your chest at the level of your heart and hold it still.
- Turn on the pulse oximeter and clip it on your finger (your middle or index finger will work).
- Keep the pulse oximeter in place until it provides you with a steady reading.
- Record the reading and the date and time of the reading so you can easily keep track of changes and provide the results to your doctor.
- Carefully write down the oxygen level and pulse rate numbers to avoid confusing the two results.
Find the Pulse Oximeter You Need
We supply a variety of pulse oximeters that you can order on our website by clicking here. If you have any questions about which one to choose, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts! We’re here to help. Contact us today at: 01 855 5696 or email: info@murrays.ie
