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Oxygen saturation describes how much of the hemoglobin – the oxygen-transport protein in red blood cells (erythrocytes) – is currently saturated with oxygen. It is typically given as a percentage relative to the total hemoglobin. Expected ''normal'' blood oxygen saturation values are between 95% - 100 % and values <90% are considered to be hypoxemia <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_saturation_(medicine)</ref>. Of great importance to those with sleep apnea<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/SleepApnea/</ref>.
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'''Oxygen saturation''' describes how much of the hemoglobin – the oxygen-transport protein in red blood cells (erythrocytes) – is currently saturated with oxygen. It is typically given as a percentage relative to the total hemoglobin. Expected ''normal'' blood oxygen saturation values are between 95% - 100 % and values <90% are considered to be hypoxemia <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_saturation_(medicine)</ref>.
==Definition==
==Definition==
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive alternative to measure blood oxygen saturation, which generates '''peripheral oxygen saturation''' (SpO<sub>2</sub>) readings that can be within 2% accuracy of SaO<sub>2</sub> readings <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_oximetry</ref>. Pulse oximeters work by shining light of different wave lengths through the skin and tissue (or reflect from it) to measure how much of the light is absorbed. As saturated and non-saturated hemoglobin absorb light at these wave lengths to different amounts, it becomes possible to calculate the blood oxygen saturation from these differences.
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive alternative to measure blood oxygen saturation, which generates '''peripheral oxygen saturation''' (SpO<sub>2</sub>) readings that can be within 2% accuracy of SaO<sub>2</sub> readings <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_oximetry</ref>. Pulse oximeters work by shining light of different wave lengths through the skin and tissue (or reflect from it) to measure how much of the light is absorbed. As saturated and non-saturated hemoglobin absorb light at these wave lengths to different amounts, it becomes possible to calculate the blood oxygen saturation from these differences.
There are different ways to perform a pulse oximetry, ranging from using a smartphone, over wearable devices to using dedicated pulse oximeters.
There are different ways to perform a pulse oximetry, ranging from using a smartphone, over wearable devices to using dedicated pulse oximeters.
Additionally, studies have found that pulse oximeters are not working as reliable on people with dark skin, with one study finding that pulse oximeters are 3x as likely to miss hypoxemia in black patients compared to white patients <ref>https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc2029240</ref>.
Additionally, studies have found that pulse oximeters are not working as reliable on people with dark skin, with one study finding that pulse oximeters are 3x as likely to miss hypoxemia in black patients compared to white patients <ref>https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc2029240</ref>.
== Uses ==
Oxygen saturation is of great importance when affected by sleep apnea as it lowers the saturation<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/SleepApnea/</ref>. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this metric has gained larger interest as a lowering of the oxygen saturation can be both an indicator and a result of infection.
== Projects involving oxygen saturation ==
== Projects involving oxygen saturation ==
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[[Category:Topics]]
[[Category:Topics]]