Finger Pulse Oximeters in Hosptial Setting

The investigators propose to assess the margins of agreement between newer commercially available finger pulse oximeters and arterial blood gases in a hospital setting.

Eligible participants requiring blood gas assessment will be identified by members of the clinical team, who will inform the research team investigator. Arterial blood gas sampling is usually performed in patients who are breathless with low oxygen levels.

At the time of arterial blood gas sampling, the three finger pulse oximeters will be placed on each of three fingers of the participant.

The pulse oximeters are small cubic devices, each about the size of a matchbox that sits lightly over the fingernail. Light is emitted from the device and passes through the nailbed.The blood oxygen levels can then be estimated by measuring the absorption of different wavelengths of light. The participant will be asked to remain seated and still for 2mins until steady state is achieved. At this time readings will be taken from each machine.

The contemporaneous measurements of oxygen saturation using gold standard, invasive arterial blood gas sampling and new non-invasive portable pulse oximeters will allow the investigators to evaluate the accuracy of these devices and evaluate their clinical usefulness in the hospital setting.

Inclusion criteria

• Hospital inpatients deemed by the clinical team to require arterial blood gas sampling (Typically this would represent patients who are complaining of breathlessness or who have low oxygen saturations)
• Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to consent (including language barrier)
• Age <16 years old