Why a web site on pulse oximetry?

Pulse oximeters provide an easy way of partly assessing someones breathing by measuring the oxygen saturation of arterial blood.

They're often used, but not everyone expected to use them has had adequate training ^1,2,3,4. The aim of the pulse oximetry section of this site is that if someone has read through it and understood the contents then they should be able to safely record an oxygen saturation as part of respiratory observations in most situations.

I have added a new section to this website looking at the physiology of oxygen transport - see the link to the right.

This site is aimed at health care workers, if you are looking on your own account please note the information provided is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician.