The impact of skin tone on performance of pulse oximeters used by NHS England COVID Oximetry @home scheme: measurement and diagnostic accuracy study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess the impact of skin tone on the measurement and diagnostic accuracy of five fingertip pulse oximeters used by patients in the NHS (National Health Service) England COVID Oximetry @home scheme.

Design

Measurement and diagnostic accuracy study (exploring pulse oximeter accuracy across skin tones-EXAKT).

Setting

Twenty four intensive care units in England between June 2022 and August 2024.

Participants

903 critically ill adults admitted to intensive care units screened for or enrolled into a trial evaluating different approaches to oxygen therapy.

Interventions

Pulse oximetry derived peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) measurements were compared with paired arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) measurements from arteria

SUBMITTER: Martin DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12801414 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature