Pulse Oximeter: A Boon Or A Bane

Pulse oximetry is one of the most commonly employed monitoring modalities in the critical care setting and as a basic monitor during anaesthesia. Despite the reliance placed on the information received from this essential monitor, the underlying principles and limitations of pulse oximetry are poorly understood. Hence, the technical errors in the functioning of the pulse oximeter, be it in calibration of the equipment or in the time over which the pulse signals are averaged, can cause mayhem during a critical incident. In the background of a critical incident where pulse oximeter failed to notify the desaturation, the need for the anaesthesiologist to be aware of the specifications of the equipment at his disposal is highlighted.