WRAL

FDA panel examines evidence that pulse oximeters may not work as well on dark skin

As an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Owais Durrani sees this issue regularly first-hand: When he clamps a pulse oximeter onto a patient's fingertip to measure their blood oxygen levels, the small ...
WRAL

FDA issues draft guidance to improve accuracy of pulse oximeters for people with darker skin tones

Pulse oximeters were invented in 1974, and the evidence of flawed pulse oximeter readings in people with dark skin dates to the 1980s. One study, published in 2022, found that among more than 3,000 ...
MedPage Today on MSN

Pulse oximeter failings for darker-skinned people might not have a simple solution

Two studies suggest both under- and over-estimation of blood oxygen levels ...
MobiHealthNews

FDA clears Masimo’s forehead sensor for pulse oximetry monitoring

Irvine, California-based Masimo Technologies, which makes non-invasive patient monitoring devices and sensors, has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its forehead sensor. The adhesive TFA-1 Forehead ...
Los Angeles Times

An essential medical device fails people of color. A clinic is suing to fix that

Roots Community Health Center was slammed in 2020, with lines for its COVID-19 testing stations stretching around the block and exam rooms full of people struggling to breathe. Patient after patient ...
Health.com

Pulse Oximeter: Uses and When To Monitor at Home

A pulse oximeter measures blood oxygen levels at home and in healthcare settings. Abnormally low readings on a pulse oximeter might require medical care, especially if they are below 92%. Skin color ...
CNN

People with darker skin are 32% more likely to have pulse oximeter readings overestimate oxygen levels, report says

Scientists have long known that pulse oximeters are less accurate when used for people with dark skin tones – and now, a new report offers some insight into just how much more inaccurate these ...
News-Medical.Net on MSN

Pulse oximeters miss hypoxemia more often in people with darker skin, study finds

By Dr. Liji Thomas, MD A major UK study shows that commonly used home pulse oximeters can overestimate oxygen levels in people with darker skin, increasing the risk of undetected hypoxemia and raising ...
TCTMD

FDA Issues Draft Guidance for Improving Skin Tone Disparities of Pulse Oximeters

Fingertip pulse oximeters are getting a rethink from the US Food and Drug Administration. In a draft guidance document issued on January 6, the agency outlined the steps it is taking to improve the ...
CNN

FDA panel recommends more diversity in pulse oximeter trials

The longstanding problem of pulse oximeters providing less-accurate readings for people with dark skin tones got another look Friday from a panel of experts for the US Food and Drug Administration.
STAT

FDA-funded study of pulse oximeter accuracy yields surprising and confusing results

Anil Oza is a general assignment reporter at STAT focused on the NIH and health equity. You can reach him on Signal at aniloza.16. Rather than provide clarity on how to reduce racial bias in pulse ...