Evaluation of Pulse Oximetry

Abstract

A new pulse oximeter mounted on a finger receptacle is evaluated by these authors using 5 healthy volunteers. Results obtained by the instrument were compared with oxygen saturation based on arterial PO2 measurements. There was a very close correlation between both types of measurements, when inhaled oxygen concentration was lowered to 10 per cent. In terms of oxygen saturation, the instrument was accurate between 100 per cent and 70 per cent. An important point to remember is that the oximeter only measures decreases in arterial oxygen saturation below 100 per cent. Since this usually only occurs in healthy patients during dire emergencies, it is important to correlate clinical and instrumental findings when hypoxia is suspected.