Art read a while ago that a pulse oximeter costing about $10 could possibly give you an early warning if you've contracted COVID-19.
I got this from the npr website:
"...A pulse oximeter is a small electronic device that estimates the saturation of oxygen in your blood. You want a number in the 95% to 100% range. If the number drops to 92% or lower, that's a cause for concern. That's generally the level where a doctor might put you on supplementary oxygen and keep you in the hospital for observation..."
Therefore, our daughter, Tiffany sent him an oximeter. We chart our readings every so often. It just gives us a little reassurance that we're doing OK. Ever competitive, Art will ask what I have. I will purposely breathe heavily (while laughing) before putting it on my finger to hopefully give me a higher reading than his.
I've heard recently that there was a case here in Hawaii where a woman used the oximeter to discover her mother had low oxygen levels and got her to the ER quickly which enabled her to survive the infection.
Art mentioned this to his sister, but the demand was suddenly so high for oximeters that they weren't able to get the same one we'd gotten on Amazon. That was a surprise. I looked it up on Walmart and there's a whole slew of them.
I don't know how necessary this is... buuuut... it's just nice to have.
POSTSCRIPT: I wrote that the oximeter could cost as cheap as $10 because that's what I've read in articles before.
However, I just got a comment from Linda, my favorite nurse consultant that a $10 oximeter probably wouldn't be as trustworthy. That got me wondering so I asked my daughter if she could tell me how much that oximeter she gave Art cost.
So no....
It's not $10.
I looked up other oximeters and they come in so many different price ranges.
I guess you should research what would fit in your budget and what the reviews are.
Thank you for your advice, Linda.
I'll test mom before our conference call with her doctor.
I had no idea that such a device existed.
ReplyDeleteI remember some doctor saying how important this number was, I know for $10 I want one now too! Ok that was too funny about you making it a competition with Art, anyway good for you guys :)
ReplyDeleteMy hubby bought one a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure why but now I know.
ReplyDeletei've always had these because my daughter has asthma. these are wonderful little devices.
ReplyDeleteI don't even have a thermometer so doubt we'll get one of these...I worry enough without help. lol!
ReplyDeleteOh, my. There is a device for everything!!!
ReplyDeleteHow funny that you and Art are competitive breathers:)
ReplyDeleteI all ready had one for my COPD and I check it each morning. I got mine at Walmart and they really are inexpensive.
Well....I'm surprised you got one for $10. It's durability, accuracy, and length of service will be of concern.
ReplyDeleteAll - especially with the reporting of the Prez's information: Normal, in reality is above 90%. When you go below 90 in a hospital setting, we then consider putting on 2L (2 liters) of oxygen for a while. When it's 88, and can't get it higher, we figure out what's happening. If you're towards 78 to 88, it is a concern to try and correct quickly, with increased oxygen, determine why it's decreasing, and medications. I've rarely seen a person with 100 or 99%. If you're on hospice, and expiring, it will read 60 or below. In other words, no or bad oxygenation does not create a zero reading.
They're usually called "pulse ox" devices cuz they read your pulse and your oxygen saturation. They're moderately accurate with a pulse reading, but a blood pressure cuff is more accurate. Most will cost around $40 to $60. As an RN, I wouldn't consider using one that only cost $10. They're usually available at CVS, Walgreen's, WalMart, home medical supply stores, catalogs.
Back in February, they were not available on most store shelves due to people buying them out. Locally in Kansas City, it now seems the supply might just be returning to shelves.
Be sure the red light inside it is working. Be sure and shove your fingertip deep into the device. If you wear colored or blocking fingernail polish, you may not get a reading at all, or an inaccurate one. Try different fingers; can be placed on an ear lobe if fingers have a disease or injury with poor circulation.
If it takes too long to get a reading, or it seems it's showing a wrong result and you're feeling fine, it needs new batteries. Massage or warm the hands/fingertips if they're too cold before using the device.
Please keep records of your readings. You are looking for a trend, not an instant decrease in health. Yes, many asthmatics use them, nurses, and folks with COPD and respiratory issues. The reading is used as a part of the total assessment.
Kay, by trying to take deep breaths before or during the reading, you're gathering incorrect information, and actually may lower the result. I would consider keeping a trend of your Mom's normal, and if she starts feeling poorly, track her oxygen levels. It's just one more little piece of the puzzle to determine if she's having a trend downward.
With some people's disease or poor expected outcome (hospice), it can be difficult to get a reading from a fingertip. (Don't use the thumb.) The pulse ox can actually be clipped onto an elderly long ear lobe, or a toe if fingertips won't work.
Sometimes in movies, or in ICUs, you see the fingertip with a little tan or white "bandage" wrapped around it with a wire extending from it. That's a pulse ox that stays on the patient, with readings sent to the monitor, along with the other readings, like blood pressure, heart rate, etc. from other devices.
Meanwhile, keep breathing! Cheers and Aloha, Linda in Kansas
Thanks so much, Linda. I have added your input onto my post!
DeleteGood to know, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of these but I am not likely to get one because it will only end up in the pile of things I bought to monitor my health or make me beautiful but never use.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us. What about home BP monitors? Any opinions?
ReplyDeleteOh definitely! Art and mom both check their blood pressure daily.
DeleteHowdy! Home bp monitors are usually good, again, not cheap, can run $50 to $125 now. Yes, the big upper arm cuffs might be a tad more accurate, but they're so hard to place correctly, especially if it's on to yourself. The wrist cuffs are just fine for home use, and usually accurate within 5 degrees as the large clumsy ones. Just be sure and follow directions. Be quite, don't even talk or move, hold your hand up towards your heart/neck to get the most accurate reading. Again, if you get weird readings that are probably incorrect, the device needs new batteries. Almost all home health nurses use the wrist ones. Hospitals use the big ones, but accurate placement, (off the elbow, up high enough, not over clothing) is most important. Haven't found a patient yet that loves the sound of giant velcro ripping off in their ear when they're sick....
DeleteFor fun, check both arms. Interesting how there's a difference sometimes. If too different, tell your doc. Again, record for trends. Aloha, Linda in Kansas
I think I have something called Platypnea. My doc said get a pulse ox thingy.
DeleteI breathe deeply and a lot on my way into the doctor's office. They like a nice high oxygen level reading.
ReplyDeleteI get my oxygen saturation taken whenever I go to the clinic for anything, as well as my temperature, and even at the acupuncturist office. I am always in the 98-99 range. :-)
ReplyDeleteThose of us with sleep apnea know about oxygen levels in the blood. It's serious.
ReplyDeleteI guess this could be good to know, or just another health concern to fixate on.
ReplyDeleteI have one from 10 years ago, which cost over $100. They seem to have come down a lot in price, which is a good thing.
ReplyDelete