DAYTON — Pulse oximeters are playing a huge role in households during the pandemic.
The small medical device measures your blood-oxygen levels by clipping onto your finger. While it will not prevent you from contracting COVID-19, it could help you fight against it.
One local woman said she received the device from her mother after she was diagnosed with Covid in August. After feeling okay for the first five days, her health took a turn for the worse. The pulse oximeter revealed her blood-oxygen level was dangerously low. She was admitted into the hospital and stayed there for a week.
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“The nurse of the last day did say, I looked at your chart and I am so glad you came in because if you hadn’t come in the day that you did, I think you would be on another floor, meaning the ICU floor,” said Alissa Steinbrugge.
Not having enough oxygen in your blood could affect vital organs.
“People don’t really get into trouble unless they’re below 94 percent,” said Dr. Jeffrey Weinstein, Kettering Health Network Safety Officer.
Weinstein said it is nice to have a pulse oximeter if you have be diagnosed with Covid. He warns that they should not be used as a tool to screen for Covid, as there a many things that could lower your blood-oxygen.