28 Oct Oximeters to be part of our first aid kit
We will shortly have Oximeters in our first aid kit, below is a rundown on their use.
How to use to correctly use pulse oximeter.
- Make sure the patient does not have nail polish on their finger. (Not a deal-breaker if they do, turn the probe sideways).
- Place the pulse oximeter on the patient’s index or middle finger. With children, you may be able to place two fingers within the probe, due to their small size.
- Keep the pulse oximeter on the patient’s finger for at least a minute, till the reading stabilises.
- Record the highest reading that flashes on the oximeter after it has established after 5 seconds.
Make sure that the finger fits well and the probe is not too tight (which would constrict the circulation) or too loose (may fall off or let other light in).
In the pulse oximeter, small beams of light pass through the blood in your finger, measuring the amount of oxygen. Pulse oximeters do this by measuring changes in light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood. This is a painless process. The pulse oximeter will be able to tell you your oxygen saturation levels along with your heart rate. A pulse oxy meter measures your blood oxygen level (SpO2), a normal reading is typically between 95 and 100 percent. The ‘normal’ resting rate for adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
If you have any questions contact Jamie at the CHSLSC Education Office.