Pulse oximeters are used to check on patients suffering from a variety of circulatory or respiratory diseases. Commonly, pulse oximeters clip onto a finger and emit infrared light through the capillaries to measure the concentration of oxygen in the blood. Pulse oximeters are minimally invasive and offer accurate oxygenation readings. Most common problems exhibited by malfunctioning pulse oximeters can be fixed by repositioning a patient's finger or by replacing improperly installed sensory equipment.
Error Messages
Reference your pulse oximeter's user manual to improve your understanding of any error messages that will display on your pulse oximeter's sensor readout. Many pulse oximeters contain LED or other lighted readout displays that display a variety of operational messages, including error messages. Familiarize yourself with the error messages for your model of oximeter to increase your ability to properly troubleshoot any issues with the pulse oximeter.
Blinking Display
Replace the batteries on your pulse oximeter if the display begins to blink at one-second intervals. Low-battery power may also cause a faded light display.
Purchase replacement batteries well before you need to replace your oximeter's batteries. Many pulse oximeters use specialized batteries that are not available from many stores. Contact a battery store and ask them if they carry the style of battery your oximeter uses. Reference your oximeter's user manual if you are unsure as to what style of battery to purchase.
Activation Problems
Reposition your patient's finger inside of the pulse oximeter if the oximeter is having problems activating. Reference your owner's manual to reinforce the proper procedure for placing a patient's finger inside of the pulse oximeter. Failure to activate may also be indicative of depleted or improperly loaded batteries. Fix the batteries in the battery dock or replace any depleted batteries.
Erratic Sp02 Levels
Allow your pulse oximeter to acclimate to room temperature if you are receiving erratic SpO2 readings or SpO2 readings that are much higher or lower than normal. Reference your user manual to find the proper room temperature that should be kept for optimal oximeter functioning. Adjust the temperature in the room, if necessary.
Remove the sensor from your pulse oximeter if it is a replacement for the original. Ensure that the sensor is from the same manufacturer of your oximeter. Even if a replacement sensor fits on an oximeter, it may not be compatible with the rest of the oximeter's hardware. Contact your oximeter's manufacturer to ensure that the replacement sensor is fully compatible with your pulse oximeter. If the sensor is from the same manufacturer, you may need to purchase and install a different sensor. Ask your oximeter's manufacturer about compatible sensors that can be purchased and installed.
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