Cheap pulse oximeters have flooded markets; Faulty readings cause panic

GUWAHATI: Cheap or low-cost pulse oximeters have flooded markets across the State leading to false reading of oxygen level in the body and thus causing panic among many families.

A senior doctor at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) said a pulse oximeter comes in very handy to monitor the oxygen-saturation level as it can pick up the hypoxia syndrome very early.

"Since COVID-19 is a predominant infection of the respiratory system, it results in impaired oxygenation of the blood. Hypoxia can be fatal in most cases. Under such circumstances, many have gone for panic buying of oximeters resulting in the entry of cheap and low-quality devices in the market. These cheap oximeters can give false readings," the doctor pointed out.

The doctor added that several companies tried to cash in on the panic buying by selling oximeters at Rs 800-1200 online and also in the drug stores. A standard kit costs between Rs 1,600 and Rs 1,800, he said, adding that readings of such cheap oximeters are unreliable as they fluctuate wildly.

Imdad Ali, a resident of the Hatigaon area in the city, who bought an oximeter at Rs 800, said that the kit often shows 98 per cent oxygen saturation level for all his family members. "But such readings are not possible. If we rely on this, we will not know if there is an emergency," he said.

Even though Ali visited Pan Bazar on August 13 and 14 to purchase a branded pulse oximeter, such devices were not available at most of the drug stores. "I was told to visit the stores after August 20," he said.

Another GMCH doctor said that pulse oximeters are usually considered accurate when they show high levels of oxygen saturation (above 90%) and might have slight variations while presenting the lower level.

"Readings might drop by three points in the afternoon and another two points further in the evening. Any significant drop beyond that indicates that either the patient needs medical attention or the equipment is faulty," the doctor pointed out.

Medical experts are of the opinion that oximeters can be cross-checked by comparing readings with those taken using proper equipment at hospitals. "Since it is neither practically nor possible for all, it is better to get them from neighbourhood pharmacists whom residents are familiar with or from recognized medical equipment stores," an expert said.

'Happy hypoxia' resulting in some fatalities among COVID-19 positive patients in Assam, is a new challenge for doctors treating the virus infected persons. Such patients seem perfectly healthy and normal, could be even walking around without any apparent discomfort or talking to others. But there is just not enough oxygen in the blood among such patients and that leads to the catastrophic heart failure. "Use of good quality pulse oximeters that can give accurate readings could save many lives," a doctor said.

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