When it comes to emergency first aid, it’s important to have a well-stocked first aid kit to ensure that any critical situation can be dealt with immediately.

Whether this means disinfecting and bandaging wounds, learning the basics of rest, ice, compression and elevation, or stabilising a patient until an ambulance can arrive, knowing how to use available equipment could potentially mean the difference between life and death.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a new piece of equipment has become common in many first responders’ toolkits: the fingertip pulse oximeter.

In this article, we will be explaining what a fingertip pulse oximeter is, how an oximeter works, and how to use them in line with best practices.

What is a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter?

A fingertip pulse oximeter, also referred to as a finger pulse oximeter, pulse oximeter or simply an oximeter, is a medical device that is used to measure a patient’s heart rate and blood oxygen levels.

During COVID-19, this device became a common part of first aid kits and first responders’ bags, as it allows medical professionals to identify how high your blood oxygen saturation level is.

Blood oxygen saturation is a measurement of how much oxygen is being carried to your organs by your blood. If this number is lower than expected, it could be an indication that a patient has an issue with their pulmonary system that is preventing them from getting enough oxygen, which could lead to difficulty breathing, fainting, hypoxemia, and ultimately lead to death.

How do I use a fingertip pulse Oximeter?

Luckily, fingertip pulse oximeters have been designed to be easy to use, non-invasive, and completely painless.

Start by clipping the pulse oximeter to the end of your fingertip. Then, depending on the model of oximeter you have, the screen on the oximeter or on a separate display will begin to provide you with the appropriate readings.

What are the normal readings? 

Oximeters provide two different readings to help measure your health:

• Blood Oxygent Saturation: When measuring stats with an oximeter, blood saturation should be between 96% and 99%. If your blood oxygen saturation remains below 92% consistently, you may want to seek emergency medical care.
• Heartbeats per minute (BPM): A healthy resting heart rate is between 50 and 90 beats per minute. If your heart rate is significantly above or below this level, it may be time to seek emergency attention.

However, these stats are not exhaustive. If you see a consistent decline in either or both stats over time, even if they are within the ‘normal’ range, it may be a good idea to seek emergency attention.

How does an Oximeter work?

A fingertip pulse oximeter works by shining two different types of light through your fingertip: red light and infrared light. Because we know that oxygenated blood and non-oxygenated blood absorb different levels of light, the oximeter can compare the levels of light absorbed by your blood to determine how much oxygen it contains.

What are the best tips for using an Oximeter?

When using a fingertip pulse oximeter, there are a few steps that you should take in order to ensure that you get consistent, accurate readings.

First is the finger that you choose to attach the oximeter to. You should always place the oximeter on the first finger, next to the thumb, or your middle finger.

Second is temperature. Having a low internal body temperature can lead to incorrect readings. As a result, you should make sure that your hand is warm to the touch and remains warm for 5 minutes before attaching the oximeter.

Finally, you should always ensure that the finger you are using to take a reading has no nail varnish or false nails attached. Because the oximeter works by passing light through your fingertip, anything that could impede the flow of that light, like nail varnish, will negatively affect the results.

Discover a range of Medical Equipment at HCE

At HCE, we stock a wide variety of medical equipment, perfect for GP Practices, hospitals, or individual use.

Whether you are looking to add to your own first aid kit or find a new source of medical equipment for your practice, HCE supplies professional-grade equipment for all medical needs.

If you would like more information about our products, or if you are interested in placing a bulk order, please contact us, and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Please note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and are NOT medical advice. Please read all instructions carefully before using medical equipment and consult a professional if you have any issues.