A fingertip pulse oximeter clipped onto a person's finger, displaying oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate readings on the screen.

What Is a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter and Why Every Household Should Have One.

What Is a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter?

A Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is a non-invasive device that measures a person’s blood oxygen saturation and heart rate. The device clips onto your finger, and within seconds, the screen will display two key readings:

Oxygen Saturation (SpO2): This shows the percentage of oxygen in your blood. Healthy individuals typically have readings between 95% and 100%. Lower readings might indicate health complications.
Heart Rate (Pulse Rate): A normal adult heart rate ranges from about 60 to 100 beats per minute.

The importance of this device gained widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for detecting a condition called “happy hypoxia,” where oxygen levels drop dangerously low without obvious symptoms. Having a pulse oximeter at home can help identify this early and prompt you to seek medical care.

How Does It Work?

A pulse oximeter shines light through your finger and measures the amount of oxygenated blood. Hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood, absorbs light differently depending on how much oxygen it’s carrying. The device uses this to calculate your oxygen saturation level.

Importance During COVID-19

During the pandemic, pulse oximeters became household staples for many, as oxygen levels were a key metric for monitoring the severity of COVID-19. Former Malaysian Prime Minister even recommended making pulse oximeters compulsory to prevent unnecessary deaths due to undetected low oxygen levels in patients at home.

In response, the Malaysian government provided Covid-19 Care Kits to low-income families, which included a pulse oximeter, reusable masks, self-test kits, a thermometer, and a user guide.

How to Use a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter Properly

Insert Your Finger: Place your index or middle finger into the pulse oximeter.
Watch for the Light: You’ll notice a light shining through your finger. This is how the device detects oxygen levels.
Check the Readings: The display will show two key numbers: oxygen saturation and heart rate.

Tips for Accurate Use:

Ensure fingernails are short and free of nail polish.
Your fingers should be warm for accurate readings.
Take measurements several times a day, in different positions (sitting, walking, exercising).

What to Do if the Oxygen Level Drops?

It’s important to know what to do if your oxygen level drops below 92%. Some of the symptoms of low oxygen levels include:

Profuse sweating
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Difficulty breathing
Bluish skin color
Confusion or lack of coordination

If your oxygen level drops below 88%, seek immediate medical attention. If you have an oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank at home, use it while arranging transportation to the hospital.

How to Choose the Right Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

There are several things to consider when choosing a pulse oximeter:

Accuracy: Look for reliable readings. Check customer reviews.
Clear Display: Ensure the screen is bright and easy to read.
Certifications: Look for quality standards like MDA, CE, or FDA certifications.
Durability and Warranty: Ensure the device is long-lasting and comes with a warranty.
Price: Prices range from RM3.50 to RM199.00, so choose one that offers good quality without being overpriced.

At Respimedic, we offer high-quality pulse oximeters that meet these standards. Our devices are trusted by hospitals, healthcare professionals, and even government officials. We provide affordable, durable oximeters that have been proven to perform well in both clinical and home settings. Click on this link here to check out one of our fingertip pulse oximeters. Click Me

Conclusion

In conclusion, a fingertip pulse oximeter is an essential device for every household, especially in the wake of COVID-19. It can help you monitor your oxygen levels and pulse rate, giving you early warning of potential health issues. Remember to choose a quality device and use it properly for the best results.

Interested in learning more? Become a member of our website to access exclusive educational videos and product guides. Sign up here.

Looking to buy a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter? Visit our Shopee store to purchase your own and take control of your respiratory health today!

Available in two variations: FS20C for adults and FS20P for kids.

Covid-19 Pandemic Had Created World-Wide Battle for Oxygen Concentrator

We are living in an era that every breath counts due to Covid-19 pandemic that had hit countries world-wide. This reminds me of my childhood where we used to joke that “we even need to pay for oxygen in the future”. The statistic shows nineteen countries around the world including Argentina, India, Iran, Nepal, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, Costa Rica, South Africa and many others are experiencing shortage in Oxygen Concentrators. The demands are getting higher and higher every day.

We are experiencing a wake-up call for our own country Malaysia as the cases are deemed high since May 2021. As a Nation, we are in war and in a dilemma between saving lives and balancing the country economy where the livelihood of people is at stake. Companies are suffering and Government leaders are challenged to use their wisdom to stimulate the economy and provide grants to sustain businesses.

Mr Robert Matiru, who chairs the Covid-19 Oxygen Emergency Taskforce, told the bureau “We could see the total collapse of health systems, especially in countries with very fragile systems. Statistics have shown that The World Bank allocated USD160bn for countries to use the fund to import oxygen. The Global Fund came out with USD3.7bn in grants for Covid-19 response programmes, including to buy Oxygen concentrators and build public oxygen plants.

In the recent weeks, we have witnessed many individuals, companies and NGO’S rushing to obtain oxygen concentrators to save lives in India that is battling the second wave of Covid-19. We see manufacturers are working around the clock to meet the demands and at the same time do not compromise with the quality of the products.

What is an oxygen concentrator? It is a device that generates oxygen with a purity of 92± 3% by drawing in ambient air and filtering out all other gases. Today, many people are living with different illnesses such as heart, lung and other respiratory diseases that rely on such devices to lead normal lives.

What do we look for in a good oxygen concentrator? There are different features and benefits of the different oxygen concentrators in the market. Outlined are some of the important points to look for when buying such devices:

The ability to run continuous operation or usage / non-stop 24/7
Preferably with oxygen concentration monitor / indicator
Flow at which oxygen is delivered to the patient
Size, weight and portability of the oxygen concentrator
Oxygen concentration should be 87% to 99%
Noise generated while in operation should ideally not much higher than 55db or lower
Other features such as wheel locking system, air filtering system, availability of accessories and spare parts
After sales service support from reputable vendors

The world-wide battle for Oxygen Concentrators due to Covid-19 will be prolonged but the urgency will be less as manufacturers produce more in time. People playing their roles in personal hygiene, social distancing, wearing masks and continuous vaccination will help to control the pandemic.

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