This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pulse oximeters are often used at home by patients with chronic respiratory diseases and more recently for remote monitoring of patients with COVID-19. There are no published data outside a supervised telemedicine setting regarding patients' experiences with these devices. Our objective was to explore patients' usage patterns and perceptions of using pulse oximetry at home.
METHODS: Patients with chronic respiratory disease who had a pulse oximeter at home were recruited to complete a structured survey.
RESULTS: Thirty participants with a range of chronic respiratory diseases (mean age 71 y, 16 females) were recruited. Most participants (83%) used home oxygen therapy. Pulse oximeters were bought online (46.7%), at a pharmacy (40%), at a medical equipment store (6.7%), through a clinic (3.3%), or from an oxygen supplier (3.3%). Use was self-initiated in 56.7% of cases and was based on a health care-related recommendation in 26.7% of cases. Sixty percent of participants used the oximeter daily, with 90% expressing confidence in interpreting their oximeter readings primarily due to education from health care professionals and in-patient experiences. Almost all participants adjusted their activity levels or management based upon oximeter readings. Most participants reported that using a pulse oximeter at home was helpful in judging their physical limitations and provided reassurance and confidence in their disease management.
CONCLUSIONS: Subjects appeared confident in their use of home pulse oximetry. Health professionals should identify patients who use pulse oximeters for monitoring and ensure that they are able to interpret readings correctly and, if appropriate, adjust management safely.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Christine F McDonald AM MBBS PhD, Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria, 3084, Australia. E-mail: christine.mcdonald{at}austin.org.au
Drs Khor and McDonald are joint senior authors.
A version of this paper was presented by Dr Joshi at European Respiratory Society International Congress, held September 28–October 2, 2019, in Madrid, Spain. A version of the paper was previously published: Patients' perspectives on the use of pulse oximetry at home. Eur Respir J 2019;54(Suppl 63):PA4484. A version of this paper was presented by Dr Joshi at 2018 Victorian Branch Annual Scientific Meeting; and presented by Dr Joshi at Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Special Interest Group at Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting, held March 29–April 2, 2019, in Gold Coast, Australia.
Supplementary material related to this paper is available at http://rc.rcjournal.com.
Dr Khor discloses relationships with Air Liquide Healthcare, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Roche. Dr McDonald discloses a relationship with Air Liquide Healthcare. The remaining authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
- Copyright © 2022 by Daedalus Enterprises
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 1 day for US$30.00
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.
Log in using your username and password
