O2 saturation

[naiad]

Today I went to the hospital and as part of a checkup, they measured my O2 saturation with a finger clip pulse oximeter. It was 100%.

I thought it wasn't possible to have a SaO2 of 100%. I was breathing normal air, and I hadn't done any hyperventilation or packing recently or taken any medications. I have been doing quite a lot of static training recently.

Why is this? Maybe some of the physiology experts can explain...

It's good to know I'm better than normal!

Lucia

 

[Alexx]

From my engineering point of view, I'd ask when was the last time oxymeter calibrated ;-)

 

[Roland]

Many pulse oximeters (especially the professional ones) have the option to set them to the real value or as an alternative to set normal saturation (which is often 97-98%) as 100%.
Probably gives fewer questions from patients why they are not at 100%

 

[Alexx]

Probably gives fewer questions from patients why they are not at 100%

GigaLOL!!! rofl rofl rofl

 

[naiad]

Thanks for the answers - that probably explains it!

Strange thing to do though... I didn't know they changed things to make people feel more normal!