Patients with dangerously low oxygen levels who show no outward signs of difficulty breathing
Using one without medical supervision.
Sarah dallof has the story.
:00 :11 :52 they should be struggling to breathe... ... gasping for air... ... but they're not.
Growing numbers of coronavirus patients with "silent hypoxia' are alarming medical workers.
(s/ dr. albert rizzo - chief medical officer, american lung association) "they're not complaining of any shortness of breath and they look comfortable.
But when their oxygen level is checked as part of their vitals signs in the emergency room, doctors are reporting much lower levels than what they would expect."
Normal oxygen saturation is 95 to 97-percent.
But doctors are seeing some covid-19 patients with levels around 75-percent... even lower.
... setting them up for more difficult recoveries... or worse.
(s/ dr. albert rizzo - chief medical officer, american lung association) "it can affect the brain, it can affect the heart, kidneys, the liver."
Hospitals and emergency rooms are increasingly sending mild or moderate patients home with pulse oximeters.
University hospitals cleveland is using this medical-grade disposable device that allows for remote monitoring.
(s/ dr. peter pronovost, university hospitals cleveland) "we've seen in about ten percent of patients, if their oxygen goes low we call them and say 'go to the hospital, you need some interventions'."
Pulse oximeters are available at drugstores and online... but health experts caution against rushing out to buy one.
Not all are created equal..
(s/ dr. peter pronovost, university hospitals cleveland) "the information we've seen thus far is many of the ones you can purchase online have highly varying degrees of accuracy."
The devices also aren't recommended as an initial screening tool for coronavirus.
Instead... health experts say, watch for more common symptoms like fever... cough and body ache.
Sarah dallof n-b-c news.
Health experts suggest talking with your doctor before buying an oximeter.
They may recommend a particular brand they know is trustworthy... or want you to select one that allows for remote monitoring.
They can also instruct on how to
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