The Features Of CMS Pulse Oximeters

By Annabelle Holman


Manufacturers of pulse oximeters are currently many and each claims that their products are the best in the market. These claims make it very hard to select the right product for personal use. This becomes even harder if one has no idea about the features the device should have. This article contains useful information concerning the features to ensure are available in CMS pulse oximeters before buying.

Many reasons are available for having ad using a pulse oximetry gadget. The immediacy by which blood oxygen levels and heart rates can be checked is one among the many reasons. It is vital to check these two values especially during workout sessions or when flying. The gadgets are important in flying because variations in altitude and air pressure may cause abnormal brain activities in some individuals. Estimation of the level of efficiency of CPAP therapy is possible through the use of these devices. Sleep apnea patients are advised to wear then when retiring to bed.

Checking for recording capability in a device should be the first thing. Devices with recording capability keep a record of values measured over time. Comparisons can therefore be done over a given time frame. An analysis of the recordings should tell when at night apnea activities occur. This is possible because, during apnea activities, oxygen levels in blood drop and heart rates increase.

Another factor to check is the accuracy of the device. Normally most devices allow a certain level of error in their readings. The error margin is normally highest in the low-end devices hence one should make the choice carefully. The margin should not exceed two percent. To determine the level of accuracy, one may have the heart rate and blood O2 saturation measured through other means and then the values compared to those of an oximeter.

One must also check the information shown and the kind of display it is displayed on. Normal LED displays are the commonest in low-end products. No other information besides heart beat and oxygen concentration are displayed by cheap devices. High quality commodities have superior displays that display extra information like menus, perfusion index value, battery level indicator, pulse waveform, and pulse meter apart from the 2 main parameters.

Setting of threshold heart rate and O2 saturation percentage values should be possible in the device chosen. All devices that allow setting of threshold values also have alarm systems. The alarms alert the user when the values rise or fall below the threshold. This way, serious conditions can be avoided by taking preventive measures. Low battery levels are also revealed by the alarms.

A reasonable warranty period should accompany the oximeter purchased. Warranties normally last at least two years for these products. One should seek other options if the warranty does not run for at least two years especially in the high-end models. This protects the buyer from the negligence of the manufacturer.

When buying a product that utilizes rechargeable lithium ion battery, one must check to ensure that it has not been on the shelf for more than one year. This is because damages are caused to lithium ion batteries when the discharge process takes a long period. The best products to settle for are the ones that use both standard alkaline and rechargeable batteries.




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