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Case report: Delayed recognition of an oximeter malfunction

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International journal of clinical monitoring and computing

Abstract

Most anesthesiologists, relying upon sales presentations from salesmen from oximeter manufacturers, believe that if an oximeter produces a steady signal with a good pulse amplitude, the numbers are always believable in the absence of interference from external light sources or from intravenous dyes. Here I report a case in which an oximeter appeared to be working properly yet displayed values which were falsely low. Trust in the oximeter resulted in delayed identification of the problem.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Indian River Memorial Hospital, Vero Beach, FL, USA

    Frank E. Block Jr.

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  1. Frank E. Block Jr.
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Block, F.E. Case report: Delayed recognition of an oximeter malfunction. J Clin Monit Comput 6, 119–121 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01720422

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01720422

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