Optional, AEMT

Objectives
Describe importance of oxygen to body metabolism
Understand oximetry assesses oxygen saturation of
hemoglobin
Understand oximetry can show effectiveness of
interventions
Know oximetry is a routine vital sign
Know procedures of application and reading oximetry
Determine sights for application of oximetry
Define possible complications with oximetry
Describe possible troubleshooting
Describe transport of oxygen in body
Understanding that hemoglobin reflects light differently
with and without oxygen
Oxygen
Essential for human function
Necessary for proper cellular metabolism
Without oxygen, lactic acid builds from anaerobic
metabolism
Oxygen transport
About 2% of oxygen gets dissolved in plasma
Oxygen is bound to hemoglobin in blood(98%)
Hemoglobin changes shape and color with oxygen
Each hemoglobin can carry four oxygen molecules
Pulse Oximetry
Measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin
Infrared and Red light emitted into tissue
Sensor then reads amount returned to photo detector
Hemoglobin reflects light differently when oxygenated vs. not
oxygenated
Saturation is measured with each pulse as blood passes
Purpose of Pulse Oximetry
Measure oxygenation of blood
Assess the effectiveness of oxygen
administration
Assess effectiveness of any other airway or
breathing interventions
Indications for Pulse
Oximetry
Should be routine vital sign
So have a reading with
every set of vitals
Continued monitoring should
occur in anyone having
respiratory compromise
Such as those with: COPD,
emphysema, pulmonary
edema, airway obstruction,
etc.
Application of Pulse
Oximetry
Consult directions from manufacture for specific
application guidelines
General application:
Turn on unit
Select proper sensor
Place proper sensor on an area of thin tissue
Fingers, toes, ear lobes, bridge of nose
Allow a few seconds for monitor to read
saturation and pulse
Readings of Pulse
Oximetry
Readings are measured in SpO2
ex. SpO2 is 98%
Average reading is 95-99%
Acceptable range is 93-100%

Oximetry will also give a pulse reading
Pulse Oximeter Types
Finger Tip
Hand Held
Table Top
This page does not endorse any
company, all pictures are intended for
educational purposes only
Finger tip and hand held are most common on
ambulance
Pulse oximeters are made by many companies
Sensors for Pulse Oximeters
Many different sensors
for pulse oximeters
Standard finger
sensors
Wrap around
sticker sensors
Wrap around
silicone sensors
Complications With
Oximetry
Hypoperfusion
Not enough blood in capillary bed to obtain
accurate reading
Site is too cold
Patient movement can alter effectiveness
Nail polish
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Hemoglobin gets saturated with compounds
other than oxygen
Troubleshooting Oximetry
See specific directions from manufactures for
your device. Here are some generals:
Will not turn on: check batteries
Not obtaining a reading:
Make sure sensor cable is connected to monitor
Make sure sensor is on warm and thin tissue
Check for nail polish, grease, etc.
Could be a low battery
Blood flow too low (make sure youre not causing
it: BP cuffs, IV tourniquet)
Constant alarms:
Alarm limits may be to high or low
Summary
Oxygen is essential to body for metabolism
(prevents lactic acid)
Oximetry assesses oxygen saturation of
hemoglobin, not sum of oxygen in blood
Oximetry can be used to know if interventions
are effective
Oximetry is a vital sign
Oximetry is applied using correct sensor
Normal reading are SpO2 between 95-99%
Summary cont.
Oximetry is placed over thin tissue
Oximetry can have many complications
Polish, cold, hypoperfusion, movement . . .
Troubleshoot if monitor not working, or if reading
doesnt seem right
Oxygen is transported by hemoglobin
Hemoglobin changes shape and color causing
light to reflect differently
Any Questions???