Oximeters and Skin Pigment: Impact of Skin Pigmentation on Accuracy of Pulse Oximetry

The oximeters that will be evaluated are nonin co-pilot, massimo Radical 7, Philips (standard care), Innovo Premium iP900BP, nellcor PM1000N and USA medical supply Nano100. The sensors used will be reusable digital sensors for all oximeters. Oximeters will have been placed on patients' fingers (3 fingers on each hand) during an initial phase of clinical stability. Due to the impact of the fingers used for SpO2 measurement and bias that might be caused by right hand versus left hand, oximeters will be randomized to different fingers and hands for each patient. Measurements will be made when the SpO2 with the usual oximeter is <97% as recommended and in the absence of changes of the respiratory parameters in the last 10 minutes. A set of measures that will include all the oximeters tested will be used. Once the oximeters are installed, at least 2 minutes will run out to let the oximeters reach steady state. Then when a standard of care blood gas is obtained, measurements will be taken simultaneously to the drawing of a standard care arterial blood gas by a clinician in the ICU. While the clinician takes the arterial blood gas, a picture will be simultaneously taken of the SpO2 readings shown by each oximeter, in addition to taking vital signs, O2 flow or FiO2.

Inclusion criteria

• ≥ 18 years old
• Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
• Patient has arterial line

Exclusion criteria

• No signal with the oximeter
• Missing digits preventing application of all probes simultaneously
• No requirement for arterial blood gases
• Pigmented nails, fake nails, or nail polish
• Methemoglobinemia
• Patient in isolation (multi-resistant bacteria, C-Difficile, COVID-19)