Recently, the government decided to reimburse 100% of the rental of pulse oximeters, on medical prescription, in France. These devices, which connect to the patient’s finger, make it possible to assess the oxygen level in the blood and to anticipate a serious form (with respiratory problems) of Covid-19. But, as useful as they are, these oximeters could have a major flaw and reveal false dataalerts the NHS, British health service, as pointed out an AFP dispatch taken over by Le Figaro.
And for good reason, oximeters would have difficulty transmitting reliable data in patients with dark skin. It was a study by the British Race and Health Observatory that brought this dysfunction to light. Faced with dark skin tones, oximeters would tend to give a higher level of oxygen in the blood than in reality, thus putting the health of the patient in potential danger.
Study the level of oxygen drop
If the latter is underestimated, the patient risks seeing the delayed warning signal to be taken care of in the face of his respiratory failure, the main symptom of severe forms of Covid-19. This observation was made while certain populations, presenting this physical characteristic, are particularly at risk (in particular because of professions which expose them more) in the face of the disease in the United Kingdom, notes the director of the Observatory, Habib Naqvi, which is based on various studies.
This limitation of health equipment has not led the authorities to advise against its use. But the lack of precision is now notified and patients were asked to closely observe the level of oxygen decline, although the rate is not 100% reliable.
Sources: NHS, British Race and Health Observatory, AFP
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