BerryMed Bluetooth fingertip Pulse Oximeter SP02 :: TGA Registered

 

SpO2 Pulse Oximetry & Home monitoring

Patients with non symptomatic or mild forms of C-19 are increasingly being managed at home. Despite certain patients having no symptoms or mild symptoms, there is still a need to closely monitor their condition in order to identify danger signs and intervene quickly. One such danger sign for patients is the reduction in oxygen saturation.

Oxygen levels in C-19

Low blood oxygen, hypoxaemia, often referred to as hypoxia— is a measured oxygen saturation below 94% in the absence of chronic lung disease (or below 88% in the presence).1 In most patients who die of acute c-19, the initial illness advances insidiously, sometimes with “silent hypoxia” (hypoxia without clinically perceptible symptoms of dyspnoea)

Finger Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the oxygen saturation of haemoglobin in arterial blood described as SPO2. It consists of a monitor that has batteries and a display, and a probe that detects the pulse. It is usually used on the second finger of the patient. Home pulse oximeters have long been used in primary care settings—most usually for monitoring chronic lung disease and heart failure. Finger pulse oximeters are generally accurate and reliable (provided they have evidence of a quality standard such as ISO 80601-2-61:2017 and are registered with then TGA and other regulatory bodies internationally).

Oximeters can provide a quick guide to individuals, their pharmacists and home monitoring healthcare professionals involved in home-based isolation and care of patients (asymptomatic and mild).9 A pulse oximeter reading of 92% or lower is one defining feature of “severe” disease in acute c-19 and could be a strong indicator for requiring urgent referral to hospital.

Patients with asymptomatic and mild C-19 infection are often isolated and managed at home. Pulse Oximetry is a very simple and easy method for both medical and lay people to understand. Close monitoring of vital signs including oxygen saturation level is crucial in detecting deterioration and danger signs that require prompt medical intervention.