does your oxygen level do this...

ladybug · Mar 10, 2009

Hello.

I'm noticing lately that when I wear my pulse ox when I'm sitting at home (or doing anything), it jumps around wildly... Like from 98 for 15 seconds to 90 for 15 seconds to 82 15 seconds and then back up to 94 for 15 seconds. I've heard somewhere this is an indication of a "bad reading" since your oxygen level doesn't jump around that much within a minute or two. Has anyone else had this happen? What do you do about it, if anything?

I've recently put new batteries in my pulse ox, so I don't think its a battery thing. Although it has been giving me a lot of "bad reading" signs after I wear it a few minutes... probably cause its jumping around so much. Urgh.

Anyway, thoughts? Thanks.

ladybug · Mar 10, 2009

Hello.

I'm noticing lately that when I wear my pulse ox when I'm sitting at home (or doing anything), it jumps around wildly... Like from 98 for 15 seconds to 90 for 15 seconds to 82 15 seconds and then back up to 94 for 15 seconds. I've heard somewhere this is an indication of a "bad reading" since your oxygen level doesn't jump around that much within a minute or two. Has anyone else had this happen? What do you do about it, if anything?

I've recently put new batteries in my pulse ox, so I don't think its a battery thing. Although it has been giving me a lot of "bad reading" signs after I wear it a few minutes... probably cause its jumping around so much. Urgh.

Anyway, thoughts? Thanks.

ladybug · Mar 10, 2009

Hello.

I'm noticing lately that when I wear my pulse ox when I'm sitting at home (or doing anything), it jumps around wildly... Like from 98 for 15 seconds to 90 for 15 seconds to 82 15 seconds and then back up to 94 for 15 seconds. I've heard somewhere this is an indication of a "bad reading" since your oxygen level doesn't jump around that much within a minute or two. Has anyone else had this happen? What do you do about it, if anything?

I've recently put new batteries in my pulse ox, so I don't think its a battery thing. Although it has been giving me a lot of "bad reading" signs after I wear it a few minutes... probably cause its jumping around so much. Urgh.

Anyway, thoughts? Thanks.

ladybug · Mar 10, 2009

Hello.

I'm noticing lately that when I wear my pulse ox when I'm sitting at home (or doing anything), it jumps around wildly... Like from 98 for 15 seconds to 90 for 15 seconds to 82 15 seconds and then back up to 94 for 15 seconds. I've heard somewhere this is an indication of a "bad reading" since your oxygen level doesn't jump around that much within a minute or two. Has anyone else had this happen? What do you do about it, if anything?

I've recently put new batteries in my pulse ox, so I don't think its a battery thing. Although it has been giving me a lot of "bad reading" signs after I wear it a few minutes... probably cause its jumping around so much. Urgh.

Anyway, thoughts? Thanks.

ladybug · Mar 10, 2009

Hello.
 
 I'm noticing lately that when I wear my pulse ox when I'm sitting at home (or doing anything), it jumps around wildly... Like from 98 for 15 seconds to 90 for 15 seconds to 82 15 seconds and then back up to 94 for 15 seconds. I've heard somewhere this is an indication of a "bad reading" since your oxygen level doesn't jump around that much within a minute or two. Has anyone else had this happen? What do you do about it, if anything?
 
 I've recently put new batteries in my pulse ox, so I don't think its a battery thing. Although it has been giving me a lot of "bad reading" signs after I wear it a few minutes... probably cause its jumping around so much. Urgh.
 
 Anyway, thoughts? Thanks.

Havoc · Mar 10, 2009

Yeah, I am a paramedic and I see it all the time. You're right, it is typically when the sensor isn't picking up enough to give an accurate reading. I don't know which oximeter you are using but ours typically have a waveform or a light that will turn a different color depending on how good of a reading it is getting.

It could be a problem with the sensor itself, or your fingers might be cold, or nail polish (I've even had problems with patients with acrylic nails). If I were you I would either take your oximeter to clinic and compare yours with theirs, or you could even pay a visit to your local ambulance service and ask them if you could try the same thing with theirs. If your oximeter is jumping around a lot and theirs is steady, you know it's an equipment problem.

Havoc · Mar 10, 2009

Yeah, I am a paramedic and I see it all the time. You're right, it is typically when the sensor isn't picking up enough to give an accurate reading. I don't know which oximeter you are using but ours typically have a waveform or a light that will turn a different color depending on how good of a reading it is getting.

It could be a problem with the sensor itself, or your fingers might be cold, or nail polish (I've even had problems with patients with acrylic nails). If I were you I would either take your oximeter to clinic and compare yours with theirs, or you could even pay a visit to your local ambulance service and ask them if you could try the same thing with theirs. If your oximeter is jumping around a lot and theirs is steady, you know it's an equipment problem.

Havoc · Mar 10, 2009

Yeah, I am a paramedic and I see it all the time. You're right, it is typically when the sensor isn't picking up enough to give an accurate reading. I don't know which oximeter you are using but ours typically have a waveform or a light that will turn a different color depending on how good of a reading it is getting.

It could be a problem with the sensor itself, or your fingers might be cold, or nail polish (I've even had problems with patients with acrylic nails). If I were you I would either take your oximeter to clinic and compare yours with theirs, or you could even pay a visit to your local ambulance service and ask them if you could try the same thing with theirs. If your oximeter is jumping around a lot and theirs is steady, you know it's an equipment problem.

Havoc · Mar 10, 2009

Yeah, I am a paramedic and I see it all the time. You're right, it is typically when the sensor isn't picking up enough to give an accurate reading. I don't know which oximeter you are using but ours typically have a waveform or a light that will turn a different color depending on how good of a reading it is getting.

It could be a problem with the sensor itself, or your fingers might be cold, or nail polish (I've even had problems with patients with acrylic nails). If I were you I would either take your oximeter to clinic and compare yours with theirs, or you could even pay a visit to your local ambulance service and ask them if you could try the same thing with theirs. If your oximeter is jumping around a lot and theirs is steady, you know it's an equipment problem.

Havoc · Mar 10, 2009

Yeah, I am a paramedic and I see it all the time. You're right, it is typically when the sensor isn't picking up enough to give an accurate reading. I don't know which oximeter you are using but ours typically have a waveform or a light that will turn a different color depending on how good of a reading it is getting.
 
 It could be a problem with the sensor itself, or your fingers might be cold, or nail polish (I've even had problems with patients with acrylic nails). If I were you I would either take your oximeter to clinic and compare yours with theirs, or you could even pay a visit to your local ambulance service and ask them if you could try the same thing with theirs. If your oximeter is jumping around a lot and theirs is steady, you know it's an equipment problem.

Skye · Mar 10, 2009