Clinical use of Pulse Oximetry to Determine Oxygen Prescriptions for Patients with Hypoxemia

Pulse oximetry is commonly used to assess arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) non-invasively and to determine oxygen needs for patients at rest, during exercise, and during sleep. Oximetry SaO 2 is acceptable documentation for Medicare home oxygen reimbursement. To ensure accuracy, a systematic oximetry protocol should be used that includes calibrating the oximeter properly, establishing stable readings, evaluating the patient's carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) level, and assessing the perfusion to the measuring site or the strength of the pulse signal as indicated by the oximeter. During oxygen titration, adequate time should be allowed for hemoglobin equilibration at new oxygen levels. Quality control should include routine comparison of oximeter readings to actual SaO 2 values.