What kind of data does a pulse oximeter collect?

A pulse oximeter is designed specifically to measure the oxygen saturation levels in the blood. It operates by using light sensors to determine the amount of oxygen carried by the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. This is crucial in various medical settings, especially for monitoring patients' respiratory status or assessing conditions affecting oxygenation.

While other types of monitoring equipment may provide sleep stage data, blood pressure, or carbon dioxide levels, a pulse oximeter's primary function is solely to assess and report on blood oxygen saturation, typically expressed as a percentage. A normal reading usually falls between 95% and 100%, and lower levels can indicate hypoxemia, requiring further medical evaluation.