Closing the Gap: How Technology Can Help Address Disparities in Pulse Oximetry

Pulse oximetry, an essential monitoring device for oxygen levels, has been under siege due to inconsistencies in accuracy between various skin colors. Experiments have proved that standard pulse oximeters tend to overestimate oxygen saturation among darker-skinned patients, resulting in misdiagnoses and postponed treatments. But technological innovation in the field of optics and diverse research efforts are attempting to close this gap.

 

1. Understanding the Disparities in Pulse Oximetry

2. Technological Advances to Enhance Accuracy

3. Future Outlook and Industry Collaboration

Source: Medtronic, atrespiratorylectures.com, www.ucsf.edu