Healthcare4all

Pulse oximeters can save lives

2011-08-05T13:59:00.000+01:00

Today it has been revealed that a simple test with a pulse oximeter can help detect congenital birth defects in newborn babies.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14401119

Current methods to detect heart defects are based on ultrasound scans but this method is not reliable and many defects are not detected. If the baby is then allowed home, a serious problem can develop as the baby grows which can sometimes be fatal.

It now appears that a quick non-invasive test with a pulse oximeter can show low oxygen distribution which may be an indicator of a heart valve defect or a hole in the heart chambers.

Pulse Oximeters - How should they be used?

2011-03-10T12:53:00.001Z

5. Tips on using a pulse oximeter

Finger probe use:
Ensure the nails are not varnished as this will affect the light transmission through the finger.
Rest the hand on the chest at heart level - do not hold it in the air as the movement may interfere with the reading.
The lights and detectors might be susceptible to external light interference so ensure the finger is fully inserted into the oximeter sensor and that it is shielded from external direct light. Most oximeters have a dark shroud which will prevent external light entering.

General tips:
Take a resting reading for a minimum of 5 minutes
If the finger being tested is especially cold or you have low blood pressure or circulatory problems, there will be poor "perfusion" (blood supply).
If this applies, warm and rub the skin first.
If testing children or infants, ensure you use the correct size probe.

Pulse Oximeters - Which model should I choose?

2011-03-10T11:47:00.001Z

4. Pulse Oximeters - Which model should I choose?

Here a few pointers to help choose a model:
A. Are you needing it for sleep study?
If so, consider the CMS-50F wrist watch model or the CMS-60C which has a long cable. The sensor on the 50F is ideally suited to night-time use and won't easily get dislodged when you move in bed.

B. Do you need it to link to a computer so that you can print and review the results - perhaps to discuss with your doctor or specialist?
The following models can be connected to a PC:
CMS-50D Plus
CMS-50E
CMS-50F
CMS-60C
PM-60A
MD300I-P

C. Are you using it on a child or infant?
Consider that the child/infant probe may need to be purchased separately and that a clip style oximeter may be less convenient than a unit with a cable style probe.
The CMS-50F, CMS-60C and MD300I-P can be used with child/infant probes.

D. Do you want a model that runs off standard batteries or would you prefer one that is rechargeable?
The base models CMS-50A, CMS-50DL, CMS-50D and Prince 100A are all powered by battery. The CMS-50D-Plus and MD300I-P (both with software and PC connectivity) are also battery powered. The rest of our current range are rechargeable. These can be recharged by plugging into a mains socket or via the included computer USB cable.

Pulse Oximeters - Are they accurate?

2011-03-10T11:46:00.001Z

3. Pulse Oximeters - how accurate are they?

The models we supply have been shown to be very accurate. Obviously it is important that they are used correctly - please see the rest of our article for tips on how best to use one.

We get many reports from our customers that the equipment we supply is as accurate as the hospital equipment they have been tested on.

Pulse Oximeters - How do they work?

2011-03-10T01:14:00.000Z

2. Pulse oximeters work by having a red and infrared diode emitting light with sensors opposite.
Red light is absorbed by oxygenated blood and Infrared light is absorbed by dexoygenated blood. Between them will be a finger, for example, or an ear lobe, so that the diodes emit light through the body part and the detectors calculate the relative absorption of each type of light.
The readings are taken many times per second and this is translated by a special circuit to display the results on screen.

Pulse Oximeters

2011-03-07T16:48:00.000Z

We stock a large range of pulse oximeters but we get many questions about them such as:
1. Who needs one and what are they for?
2. How do they work?
3. Are they accurate?
4. Which model should I choose?
5. How should an oximeter be used?

We shall address the first question here and subsequent issues will be covered in later posts.

1. They are regularly used by paramedics, GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals to give an instant reading of blood oxygen levels. They measure the percentage of haemoglobin that is oxygen-saturated (hence the term SATS). In recent times, the widespread availability of pulse oximeters has led to them being used by members of the public and the price of them has fallen dramatically. We often get doctors and patients telling us that the results they get from our monitors are the same as the ones they get from £3000 machines in hospitals and clinics.

They are very useful for patients with COPD and asthma to determine the severity of the condition. The illness can then be managed correctly.
For example a COPD patient may be able to diagnose an exacerbation and then present to the GP or hospital if necessary.

Patients with sleep apnoea (apnea), which is a condition where breathing can stop for short periods while asleep, often use pulse oximeters. They usually prefer wrist-watch types so that they can be worn through the night. Alarms can be set for low oxygen levels and the data can be recorded to memory and then printed out from a home computer to help manage the condition.

Pulse oximeters can also be very useful in neonatal care as babies have a much smaller safety window for oxygen levels.

Customer reviews

2011-03-07T15:16:00.001Z

We love customer product reviews on our website - good or bad. You are welcome to post a review even if you bought your item from another supplier. They are very helpful to our customers and we use all the comments to help decide on what products we should stock and if we get a lot of bad reviews we consider discontinuing the item. After all, an unreliable item is bad for you and disturbing for us. Please remember, though, that a product without reviews isn't necessarily bad - so help contribute and leave your thoughts.
Click here to read our reviews so far...

To leave a product review, click on the REVIEWS tab on any product page (just above the item description) and then WRITE REVIEW.

We pick one review at random each month to receive a Healthcare4all voucher.

New lower price for Philips nebuliser

2011-03-07T12:32:00.000Z

The Philips Respironics Inspiration Elite nebuliser has now been reduced from £69.99 to £49.99 (VAT exempt). It's a very reasonable price for a reliable sturdy nebuliser

We've also got the SideStream accessories in both disposable and reusable versions.

Buying a nebuliser / nebulizer - Step 1

2010-05-10T23:54:00.000+01:00

Most people who are advised to use a nebuliser will end up having to buy one. Some hospitals and GP surgeries are able to loan a unit to you on a short-term basis but nebulisers cannot be prescribed on the NHS. The medication that you need to use in a nebulizer must be prescribed, however, so please check that your doctor will prescribe the medication before you purchase the nebuliser. Without the medication, the nebuliser will be of no use.
Typical medications include salbutamol (Ventolin), ipratropium (Atrovent, Combivent), Colomycin, saline / sodium chloride solutions. They are usually presented in small liquid vials and can sometimes need to be diluted before use.
Knowing which medication you need to use in your nebuliser can help you decide which type of nebuliser to purchase as some nebulisers are not capable of dealing with viscous solutions such as antibiotic liquids.

If you are buying the nebuliser in the UK for your own personal use or on behalf of someone who needs it for their own use, the purchase can be zero-rated for VAT. They need to be classed as chronically sick or disabled (this includes asthma, COPD, emphysema, bronchitis etc). You do not need a doctor's letter as a simple self-declaration will be sufficient. Your supplier will be able to provide more information about this.

Please remember that borrowing a nebuliser from another person may have associated health risks - if they have a chest infection (which is commonly seen) this may be passed on if the equipment is not sufficiently cleaned and the filters/masks/medication cups changed as per instructions.