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Pulse Oximetry at Home
If you are over 50, or have underlying health conditions and you have recently tested positive for Covid-19, your doctor may have explained to you that they will be supporting you to recover at home.
In an article to today on the BBC News it was reported that the NHS are giving free pulse oximeters to at risk patients to monitor their oxygen levels at home, and suggested that everyone would do well to buy one of these '£20 gadgets'. Has anyone here been given one of these and if so what was the make/model of the ones you got? A pulse oximeter is an indispensable tool that helps your physician or other health care provider measure the amount of oxygen in your blood when you visit a clinic or hospital. Small, simple to use, battery-powered pulse oximeters are also available to use at home. Monitoring your oxygen saturation.
When recovering at home you will be asked to use a device called a pulse oximeter to take a number of readings each day and submit them from your home to the clinical team that is supporting you.
The clinical team will look at your readings remotely to monitor you and will make sure, if there are any problems, they are dealt with as soon as possible. The team will also agree with you how they will keep in touch with you on your induction phone call.
What a Pulse Oximeter is and how to use it
A pulse oximeter is a device that is safe and easy to use at home and will allow you to take two different readings; blood oxygen levels (Sp02%) and heart beat speed (Pulse rate).
How to take your readings
Before using the device;
Step 1: Remove any nail varnish or false nails and warm your hands if cold.
Step 2: Rest for at least five minutes before taking your reading.
Step 3: Keep your fingers in a relaxed position. Rest your hand on your chest at heart level.
Using the device;
Step 4: Insert the tip of your middle or index finger into the pulse oximeter so that the fingertip is pressed against the end and the nail is covered by the device. Check it’s on.
*If you do not get a reading within 30 seconds or so, try a different finger*.
Step 5: The reading takes time to steady. Keep the pulse oximeter in place for at least a minute to allow this.
Step 6: Take the reading after a minute or so. If the reading continues to go up and down and won’t stabilise, just take a middle reading.
Step 7: Add the reading to your Covid diary.
Watch this video to learn how to use the device. It is also available in Hindi,Punjabi, Urdu and Polish
When to take your readings
During your induction phone call with the clinical team you will be told how often you should take you readings each day. This is likely to be up to two times per day, but you can take extra readings if you feel a change in your health.
The clinical team will use your Covid diary to monitor your readings and health, and will let you know how often they will contact you during your induction phone call.
Treating your symptoms at home
There is currently no specific treatment for Covid-19. Although you may feel unwell with Covid-19, you can often ease the symptoms at home. Common symptoms of the virus are coughing, high temperature and breathlessness. For advice on how to manage these symptoms please visit the NHS website.
What to do if your symptoms worsen or if your readings change
If you start to feel worse or notice a change in your readings please follow the advice below;
No action needed if you have any following signs/symptoms or readings:
- Gradual improvement
- Fully mobile, able to manage stairs, not confused
- Normal eating and drinking
- Oxygen level (measured with the pulse oximeter) is consistently at or above 95%
- Pulse Range 50-90 beats per minute.
Phone your GP or 111 for urgent medical attention: If you have any of the following signs/symptoms or readings:
- Getting more unwell
- Unable to speak in full sentences due to breathlessness
- Too weak to get out of bed
- Oxygen level (measured with the pulse oximeter) is 93-94%
- Pulse persistently over 90 beats per minute at rest
- Not eating and drinking
- Fever not responding to cooling down and paracetamol.
Call 999 for Urgent Assessment: If you have any of the following signs/ symptoms or readings:
- Your health is rapidly worsening over a period of hours
- Short of breath sitting quietly
- Your oxygen level is consistently at or less than 92%; meaning more than once within an hour
- Blue lips or face
- Pulse persistently over 100 beats per minute at rest after repeat testing
- Severe or sudden onset of chest pain
- Cold, clammy or mottled skin.
Covid Virtual Ward
If you have recently tested positive for Covid-19, your doctor will have assessed your need of extra supported monitoring at home by the Covid Virtual Ward team.
If your GP feels that you need to be cared for by the Covid Virtual Ward team, they will contact you to explain this and ask for your permission to refer you to the Covid Virtual Ward team.
As a patient on the virtual ward you will be asked to use a device called a pulse oximeter to take a number of readings each day and submit them from your home to the virtual ward team. The virtual ward team will look at your readings remotely to monitor you and will make sure if any problems that they are dealt with as soon as possible. The team will also agree with you how they will keep in touch with you on your induction phone call.
Pulse Oximeter Nose
An information leaflet about the Covid virtual ward is available for you to read here.
Services that can support you if you’re self-isolating
Accessing Food & prescription medication:
- If you need help with getting food shopping and prescription medication whilst self-isolating the NHS Volunteer Responders can link you up with someone in Gloucestershire who can collect and deliver your grocery shopping and medication. Please sign up support if needed through the NHS Responders website https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/ or call 0808 196 3646. This service is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
- Gloucestershire Community Help Hub can help to make sure you have enough food and other general supplies to cover a few days, and collect and deliver your prescribed medication whilst you self-isolate. Please contact them through their website https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershires-community-help-hub/ or telephone 01452 583519. Their lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Please contact your local pharmacy as they may have a medication delivery service that can deliver your medication to you at home. Chennai city gangster mp3.
Wellbeing support:
- The NHS Volunteer Responders service also has Check In and Chat Volunteers available for regular talks over the phone, so you can have a chat with a friendly voice. Please sign up support if needed via the NHS Responders website – https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/ or call 0808 196 3646. This service is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
Other useful websites
Pulse Oximeter Readings Nhs
- UK Government Covid-19 advice & guidance – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
- NHS Covid-19 advice & guidance – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Pulse Oximeter Nhs Supply Chain
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