Medicina Medical offers pulse oximetry testing services for patients in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities. We have the ability to perform several types oxygen saturation studies to meet the needs of the facility.
What is pulse oximetry?
Pulse oximetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood. It is an easy, painless measure of how well oxygen is being sent to parts of the body furthest the heart, such as the arms and legs. A clip-like device called a probe is placed on a body part, such as a finger or ear lobe. The probe uses light to measure how much oxygen is in the blood. This information helps the physician decide if a person needs extra oxygen
Why nursing home patients may need pulse an oximetry test?
Pulse oximetry may be used to see if there is enough oxygen in the blood. This information is needed in many kinds of situations. Medically necessary reasons for pulse oximetry include;
1. Patient exhibits signs or symptoms of acute respiratory dysfunction such as:
● Tachypnea
● Dyspnea
● Cyanosis
● Respiratory distress
● Confusion
● Hypoxia
2. Patient has chronic lung disease, severe cardiopulmonary disease, or neuromuscular disease involving the muscles of respiration, and oximetry is needed for at least one of the following reasons:
● Initial evaluation to determine the severity of respiratory impairment.
● evaluation of an acute change in condition.
● evaluation of exercise tolerance in a patient with respiratory disease.
● evaluation to establish medical necessity of oxygen therapeutic regimen.
3. Patient has sustained severe multiple trauma or complains of acute severe chest pain.
4. Patient is under treatment with a medication with known pulmonary toxicity and oximetry is medically necessary to monitor for potential adverse effects of therapy.
5. To qualify a patient that will be discharged home on oxygen.
