Accuracy of Different Pulse Oximeters

I’ve been comparing a couple of pulse oximeters I’ve used lately, and I’m shocked at how much the readings can differ — sometimes by 2% to 3%! Has anyone else noticed these discrepancies? Looking to benchmark against what you’re seeing with your devices, especially in a clinical setting.

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It’s wild how inconsistent readings can be! I’ve noticed my hospital’s model is pretty reliable within 1%, but I still double-check against a manual pulse if things seem off. Have you tried calibrating them?

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, this drives me nuts too! I’ve noticed similar discrepancies — typically about 2% but can spike more than that depending on the brand. I’ve started cross-referencing with our manual pulse tools just to be safe. @scarlet_scout91, have you tried different brands in a clinical setting?

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And i’ve definitely seen readings vary, especially when you’re using different models… One thing I do is check the manufacturer’s calibration schedule — some brands recommend recalibration after a certain number of hours of use. Have you tried using a different model during the same shift to gauge accuracy?

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