According to a study led by University of Washington at Seattle researchers, a blood oxygen saturation level below 92% and fast, shallow breathing were associated with significantly elevated death rates in a study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. (Click here to read the original source of the research paper)
Healthcare experts also mentioned that situation of happy hypoxia, or silent pneumonia, or happy hypoxemia, is known to be a complication of COVID-19, whereby the infected patient will have no obvious symptoms such as fever or cough. Measuring the blood oxygen saturation level is a method to reveal sign of COVID-19 infection for patient with such "silent" situation.
Recently, Singapore Temasek Foundation has announced to give one pulse oximeter to every household in Singapore, so that residents can monitor their blood oxygen levels regularly. The device checks the oxygen level in the blood and can help detect early signs of a deterioration in health. (Click here to read the original source of information)
Although my Huawei Watch GT2 is able to measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) level, its measuring process takes some time, which is a little bit inconvenient.
During the recent online e-commerce shopping spree, I decided to buy a pulse oximeter with the following reasons:
- Unlike my Huawei Watch GT2, the pulse oximeter can provide instant reading.
- It provides "second opinion" reading, so that I can counter-check and confirm the accuracy of the readings from both devices.
- It can be easily shared among family members.
- It is very easy to use, fool-proof, and simple for elderly people like my parents to use.
- It must be accurate. Although there are many cheap oximeters available in the online stores, I have read article that some of such oximeters come out with reading despite you trick it by putting a pencil into it instead of your finger (which it supposedly should not come out with any reading).
- At least have a brand, and better be manufactured by a medical equipment manufacturer.
- Certified as a medical device by CE and/or FDA.
- With one year manufacturer warranty.
- Budget below RM100, as I am pretty sure I should be able to get one with that price range.
- SpO2 reading (range: 35-100, accuracy: ±2%)
- Pulse Rate (PR, range: 25-250 bpm, accuracy: ±2 bpm)
- Perfusion Index (PI, a measurement of how "strong" is the pulse)
- Photoplethysmogram (PPG, showing heart pump cardiac cycles)
- Pulse bar (showing the strength of pulse)
- Battery level
1 comments:
This is article very informative. First time seeing this device. Thanks for sharing.
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