The pulse oximeter, or Pulse Ox, is an electronic device that measures the saturation of oxygen carried in your red blood cells. Pulse oximeters are a small, clip-like device that can be attached to your fingers, forehead, nose, foot, ears, or toes.
The purpose is to see if your blood is well oxygenated. It can rapidly detect even small changes in oxygen levels. These levels show how efficiently blood is carrying oxygen to the extremities furthest from your heart, including your arms and legs.
Medical professionals may use pulse oximeters to monitor the health of people with conditions that affect blood oxygen levels, especially while they’re in the hospital. Certain health conditions require people to monitor their oxygen saturation levels. People on supplemental oxygen therapy are likely candidates for home pulse oximeters, as are people with asthma, blood clots, COPD, a history of heart attack, heart disease, or a history of heart failure.
A pulse oximeter may be useful in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend that you have a pulse oximeter for home use.
To take a reading with a pulse oximeter, you will:
- Remove any jewelry or fingernail polish on your finger if measuring from this location.
- Make sure your hand is warm, relaxed, and below heart level if attaching the device here.
- Place the device on your finger, earlobe, or toe.
- Keep the device on for as long as needed to monitor your pulse and oxygen saturation.
- Remove the device once the test is over.
In pulse oximetry, small beams of light pass through the blood in your finger, measuring the amount of oxygen. According to the British Lung Foundation, pulse oximeters measure changes in light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood, as well as oxygen saturation levels and heart rate.
Pulse oximetry is a quick, noninvasive, and completely painless test. It comes with no risks, aside from potential skin irritation from the adhesive used in some types of probes.
