Racial Bias in Pulse Oximetry Measurement Among Patients About to Undergo Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in 2019-2020: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pulse oximeters may produce less accurate results in non-White patients.

Research question

Do pulse oximeters detect arterial hypoxemia less effectively in Black, Hispanic, and/or Asian patients than in White patients in respiratory failure and about to undergo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)?

Study design and methods

Data on adult patients with respiratory failure readings 6 h before ECMO were provided by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry. Data was collected from 324 centers between January 2019 and July 2020. Our primary analysis was of rates of occult hypoxemia-low arterial oxygen saturation (Sao₂ ≤ 88%) on arterial blood gas measurement despite a pulse oximetry reading in the range of 92% to 96%.

Results

SUBMITTER: Valbuena VSM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9005857 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature