title: Research: Comparison of the Accuracy of a Pocket versus Standard Pulse Oximeter.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulse oximetry has become an essential tool in clinical practice. With patient self-management becoming more prevalent, pulse oximetry self-monitoring has the potential to become common practice in the near future. This study sought to compare the accuracy of two pulse oximeters, a high-quality standard pulse oximeter and an inexpensive pocket pulse oximeter, and to compare both devices with arterial blood co-oximetry oxygen saturation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 95 patients (35.8% women; mean [±SD] age 63.1 ± 13.9 years; mean arterial pressure was 92 ± 12.0 mmHg; mean axillar temperature 36.3 ± 0.4°C) presenting to our hospital for blood gas analysis was evaluated. The Bland-Altman technique was performed to calculate bias and precision, as well as agreement limits. Student's t test was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Standard oximeter presented 1.84% bias and a precision error of 1.80%. Pocket oximeter presented a bias of 1.85% and a precision error of 2.21%. Agreement limits were -1.69% to 5.37% (standard oximeter) and -2.48% to 6.18% (pocket oximeter).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both oximeters presented bias, which was expected given previous research. The pocket oximeter was less precise but had agreement limits that were comparable with current evidence. Pocket oximeters can be powerful allies in clinical monitoring of patients based on a self-monitoring/efficacy strategy.
authors.forename: João Cordeiro
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: da Costa
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Faustino
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ladeira
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guimarães
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008904:Miniaturization; D010092:Oximetry / Q000145:classification / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen