Doctors, lawmakers urge FDA to study racial differences in pulse oximeters

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues into another year, the long-standing, under-the-radar discrepancy is drawing new attention: some pulse oximeters play a vital role in measuring oxygen levels, making decisions about patient care It is essential for black patients and other people of color.
New research on this issue has attracted the attention of legislators and clinicians. They said they would like to see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carry out a comprehensive study to analyze the effects of pulse oximeters on various patients in hospitals and homes. Usage. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Ron Wyden urged the agency to review the devices late last month, calling the issue a “life and death issue” , Because this epidemic continues to cause disproportionate losses to people of color.
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Erin is a California health technology reporter and co-author of the STAT Health Tech newsletter.
Responsible citizens will continue to care about and understand any differences that may or may not exist in our Greater Florida area and Delaware. Our “heroes” who provide medical services every day are on the front line every day, and might as well be the spokesperson for any gaps in our local medical institutions. Thank you every hero. “the truth”
The reading is always good, but I don’t think it’s a reading that I always thought my shortness of breath is wrong in most cases, but it read 98 to 100. My pulmonologist just replaced the inhaler with me. People help me
The units themselves are not, but the individual who created them may…learn to think outside the bubble.
I have been a nurse with a biochemistry degree for 8 years, and I can tell you that there is no difference between sp02 and no nail polish. So, if the article says this is a similar problem, then why is your melanin? Also, please research products used in other countries and compare the two products. I think I answered the question of this article in two sentences
That’s not right. It depends on the chemical nature of the nail polish. Anything that reflects or absorbs the specific frequency light used by the pulse oximeter will affect the reading. Some nail polishes will not affect the reading, some will. Especially those with metal flakes. I am a registered respiratory therapist.
“…Relying on equipment that may be biased against certain groups of people is really disturbing…”
However, in a pandemic from 1 to 100 years, citizens may benefit from using pulse oximeters at home to detect early signs of deterioration, early admission and a much shorter hospital stay, we need to pay attention to what we send to a wider population what news.
The headlines of this article have spread, that “the oximeter is racist”, which has played a role in the current political dialogue on both sides of the pond and can be regarded as “common sense.” If the result is to prevent non-white citizens from using these devices, what might be the demographic result?
The questions I think of are: 1. Can the results obtained in the hospital environment and hospital equipment be transferred to the FDA-approved or CE-marked consumer oximeter used by the community and citizens themselves? 2. What is the nature of the error? Is the reading random or does the system move up or down? If it is the second time, can we not adjust the recommendations to the BAME team to solve “it is normal for you”, and then suggest that clinicians who are remotely processing their skin color a] normal range to assist remote treatment.
In the end, I worry that we will inadvertently bring some kind of “health suppression” effect to BAME citizens.
I have written more blogs about this issue here: https://www.digitalhealthcoachuk.net/post/are-oximeters-safe-for-bipoc-bame-black-people-to-use-for-covid- yes-if-a doctor knows your color


Post time: Feb-19-2021