Variable and low-normal pulse oximetry scores in healthy individuals may confound COVID-19 Oximetry@Home clinical algorithms, potentially undermining their purpose to reduce face-to-face medical care.
Do variable and 'low normal' pulse oximetry scores confound the purpose of COVID-19 Oximetry@Home services?
Variable and 'low normal' baseline SpO2 readings in healthy individuals may trigger unnecessary clinical interventions in COVID-19 home monitoring pathways.
Abstract COVID‐19 Oximetry@Home services have been commissioned nationally. This allows higher‐risk patients with mild COVID‐19 symptoms to remain at home, being supplied with a Pulse Oximeter to measure their oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) two to three times daily for two weeks. Patients record their readings manually or electronically which are monitored by a clinical team. Clinical decisions, using an algorithm, are based on SpO 2 readings in a narrow range with 1–2 point changes potentially affecting care. In this article, we discussed the problem that multiple factors affect SpO 2 readings, and that some “normal” individuals will have “low‐normal” scores at the threshold of clinical management, without any known respiratory problem. We discuss the potential magnitude of this problem based on the associated literature and consider how this will have an impact on the use of the Oximetry@home services, potentially partially confounding their purpose; to reduce face‐to‐face medical care.
Harland et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in COVID-19. Oximetry@Home services was evaluated. Variable and low-normal pulse oximetry scores in healthy individuals may confound COVID-19 Oximetry@Home clinical algorithms, potentially undermining their purpose to reduce face-to-face medical care.
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