Factors Affecting Measurement Accuracy of Pulse Oximeter

With the rapid development of the medical industry today, the development of blood oxygen saturation measurement technology is a fundamental progress. We can accurately measure people's blood oxygen saturation and further help patients treat respiratory diseases. Blood oxygen probes have been widely used in related medical fields. But even the most precise devices are affected by certain environmental and physiological conditions, and of course, blood oxygen probes are no exception. Below, we will briefly discuss some factors that affect the accuracy of blood oxygen probe measurement, and how to mitigate the influence of these factors when measuring.

brightness of light

When an oxygen reading is taken, the oxygen probe clips onto the patient's finger and begins to emit low-infrared light. This light penetrates the skin and counts the number of oxygenated blood cells flowing through the body's veins. At this time, the bright light of the operating environment will dilute the infrared light, making it possible for the sensor to give false readings. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid placing the blood oxygen probe near a bright light source during use.

Probe placement

How the probe is placed during the test can also affect the accuracy of the blood oxygen saturation. Depending on the type of blood oxygen sensor the patient is using, it needs to be securely attached to the patient's finger, toe, or ear for optimal use. Wearing it too loosely or placing it on an inappropriate body part will prevent the light from being transmitted properly, which may also result in incorrect measurements. Please refer to our product instruction manual for more details when using the Umai SpO2 probe.

Nerve blocking drugs

Certain types of medications can also cause the device to read incorrectly. If a patient is taking nerve-blocking or blood-thinning medications, these substances, while great for specific conditions, can also have side effects that affect a person's blood flow. When this flow is lower than the average, the measured blood oxygen saturation data may be abnormal.

increase exercise

The increased amount of exercise during the test can also speed up the patient's blood flow and make it more difficult for the blood oxygen probe to measure accurate blood oxygen saturation. Therefore, patients are advised to sit in a resting position when measuring blood oxygen saturation and avoid walking around while the device is running.

Finger and skin condition

Another factor that may affect the accuracy of blood oxygen saturation is the accessories a patient wears on their fingernails, namely fake nails or thick nail polish. These materials can reflect light back to the sensor while the device is still running, preventing it from fully penetrating the finger. Therefore, such patients must clean these items when using the finger-clip oximeter to make the oximeter work properly. Secondly, factors such as skin pigmentation, skin thickness, and skin temperature will also affect the accuracy of blood oxygen saturation.