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Pulse Oximeters May Fail People of Color: What You Need to Know
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We investigate how pulse oximeters – those small devices that clip onto your finger and measure oxygen levels – can show bias against people with darker skin tones. This critical medical tool may overestimate oxygen readings in Black patients, potentially leading to delayed or inadequate treatment.
• Pulse oximeters use infrared light to measure blood oxygen, but melanin in darker skin can scatter this light and cause inaccurate readings
• Studies show Black patients are nearly three times more likely to have hidden low oxygen episodes missed by pulse oximeters
• During COVID-19, this bias became particularly dangerous as oxygen readings determined critical treatment decisions
• Most pulse oximeters were originally calibrated on light-skinned individuals, with minimal diversity requirements
• The FDA is now developing better standards requiring more diverse testing groups
• This issue extends beyond pulse oximeters and reveals broader systemic healthcare inequities
• Medical practitioners need to consider the whole clinical picture rather than relying solely on pulse ox readings
Stay healthy, my friends, until next time.
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Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN
Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski
Chapters
1. Introduction to the Pulse Oximeter (00:00:00)
2. History of Device Inaccuracy (00:01:26)
3. Why Pulse Oximeters Show Bias (00:04:51)
4. Solutions and Future Improvements (00:05:49)
5. Broader Implications for Healthcare Equity (00:07:15)
6. Episode Closing and Disclaimer (00:10:24)
66 episodes
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