SPO-7500 usage results and accuracy

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:33 pm

Hi,

Not too long ago someone asked about accuracy of these pulse oximeters and wondered if there would be a difference without cpap. I can now respond with my experiece. Last night I couldn't wear my FFM because my cats made off with 2 small pieces of it and I was too congested for a nasal mask. I most definitely won't be doing that again!! I downloaded my pulseox results this evening and was amazed at the difference.

94-100%: 3% of the time
88-93%: 89.1%
80-87%: 7.7%
70-79%: <0.1% (time was actually 6 seconds)

On nights with CPAP, I'm in the 94-100% range for 50-90% of the time and the lowest level was 85% once.

My OSA was defined as "mild" in my sleep study and the lowest O2 level was 85%. IMHO, the SPO-7500 seems quite sensitive enough to detect differences. I set mine to check every 2 seconds.

I feel much better seeing the difference cpap makes for this very vital function.

Mindy

BrianT · Post by **BrianT** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:20 pm

mindy,

For what it's worth...
In the almost three weeks now since the SPO-7500 arrived, I've been able to see a definite correlation between the SPO-7500 reports of events, and those from the Encore Viewer reports. My numbers are varying between 72% and 98% with the lowest numbers coinciding exactly with clusters of events on the AH side of things. This is good in that the device seems to be working correctly, but bad in that my therapy needs vast improvement.
Before having the SPO-7500, there was no way for me to know how good or bad the therapy was going except for going by the AHI numbers. Essentially I had half of the information needed to get a decent picture of how successful the Bi-PAP therapy was day by day.
This is no scientific study and who knows just how accurate the 7500 really is, but at least I now have a comparative daily report the help me keep an eye on things.

Brian

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:47 pm

Wow, Mindy, thanks for reporting this. I've wondered if my O2 level would drop without CPAP, but just cannot bring myself to sleep one night without it. Thank your cats for us, too!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:04 pm

I had one of those but returned it. It seems that I move around way too much in bed at night and as a result, I couldn't get any reliable information from the meter at all. My readings were all over the place and didn't match up to some other oximeter readings I had from 2 different meters. Perhaps it was just too sensitive for my needs. I sure did like the software that came with it though.

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:58 pm

Mindy, thanks for this post.

Unfortunately, my unit turned out to be defective and is on its way back to the manufacturer for a replacement. I will try something similar when I get my new oximeter from them.

I'd like to use the oximeter overnight for a couple nights w/o cpap, and a couple nights with, to see how much of a difference cpap makes in my o2 saturation.

While these gizmos aren't cheap, they're another tool for us to take control of our therapy and see how well its working.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:30 am

BrianT wrote:mindy,
Essentially I had half of the information needed to get a decent picture of how successful the Bi-PAP therapy was day by day.
This is no scientific study and who knows just how accurate the 7500 really is, but at least I now have a comparative daily report the help me keep an eye on things.

RipVW wrote:Thank your cats for us, too!

I agree about the benefit of the comparison between daily Encore reports and the SPO-7500 reports. I guess that's typical of many things ... a single number by itself isn't very useful but a running comparison helps a great deal. I'm still planning to correlate my Encore and SPO data (when I have time!) to verify the timing.

BTW, I noticed that when I installed the SPO-7500 software that there are actually 2 parts to it. "Vitabase" handles the basics and "Vitascore" shows a specific report graph in 15-minute segments with agonizing yet interesting detail! I didn't think to use Vitascore until last night --- I suspect it's intended for sleep techs for their scoring use.

My cats were happy to help the cause

Mindy

packer · Post by **packer** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:17 am

I bought a 7500 also- used it and confirmed [ at least good enough for me]
that my o2 levels were staying up pretty well overnight

I installed the software but dont know about the report you mention
how do you get to it? or do I need to re-install ??
I dont see it-- thanks Packer

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:20 am

I didn't do anything separately to install it. It just showed up in my START list.

m

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:39 am

I'm pleased to see so many satisfied users of the SPO 7500, even though I chose the Nonin 3100 last year. For many SDB sufferers it is very important to monitor the oxygen levels often.

A definite correlation can be seen between oxygen saturation levels and SDB events. Not necessarily in-line with each other to the second, but obviously linked in the majority of SDB events. Though, dangerously low O2 saturations don't always coincide with charted SDB events.

That's partly why I believe that PAP machines should have a module option for plug-in oximetry. In other words: They should have the basics in the firmware to handle a fit-in or add-on oximetry data acquisition module. And the module should be versatile enough to handle data from most FDA approved oximeters through use of cable adapters. Conversely, oximeter makers could provide intelligent adapters for their products to marry-into PAP oximetry modules. Then, there's the consideration of the display of data from PAP therapy and oximetry -- with each oximeter maker using different formats that could be a hassle.

But Profox Oximetry Standard version which handles well over 40 oximeter models, from more than a dozen manufacturers, could be incorporated into the scheme.

All of this added in could jack the cost of a PAP unit by 200 to 500-percent or more, initially... depending on the base PAP cost.

The minefield of problems lies in oximeter OEM's using greatly differing formats in their algorithms, management software, data firmware and electronics. Not to mention, the differences in cable plugs.

But the patients need the capability and it should be a priority for option on near-future PAP machines.

As it is, my medical handlers lambasted me for "acquiring" my own APAP in 2006 to prove to them I had been getting ineffective therapy for 5-years with their prescribed CPAP, and later a CPAP with exhale relief. They chided me for "acquiring" and using Encore Pro software and for learning terminology and intricacies involved in effective OSA treatment. And then they blew a cork when I presented my oximetry charts to them. The charts showed that with effective PAP therapy my 02 sats were acceptable and deemed safe..... and with ineffective PAP therapy my O2 sats clearly showed me to be in the zone where physical deterioration and danger-of-dying is a stark, very painful and chronically debilitating reality.

I took control to ensure that I got great therapy.... and they freaked out, and crapped in my medical file by immediately finding me to be a "hypochondriac." They slapped me with a grossly malicious and punitive assessment in attempt to cover their a**es and punish my appropriate efforts to protect myself. Now this doesn't cause me to wonder what abuses they inflict on their mates and children... does it?

There's no mystery that many doctors, RT's and DME's suffer unbridled arrogance, "degree" ego.... and megalomania complex -- Of course, all at the expense of the health and lives of the patients.

Cheers to this board and the members who truly care to help each other past what is not routinely provided by the med-types in treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing.

EDITED: Opps ---- I forgot to praise the Goodman clan and all the folks at https://www.cpap.com for the board, their dedication, service, friendship and the massive array of products and helpful knowledge and use tools.

Nodzy

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:47 am

Nodzy - well said! We do need to manage our own treatment. I do prefer the model where we work in partnership with our docs. I've had a few cases where that really has occurred although many that haven't.

I don't know how I could manage my treatment without the pulseox -- truly half a loaf.

Mindy

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:18 am

Great post, Nodzy!

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:39 am

Laura.

Go'head..... make me blush again. But it does feel odd to blush with clothes on.

You, Laura, are prime among others in having imparted volumes of knowledge and encouragement that I found to be exactly what I needed in my therapy quest(s). Knowledge not just heaved at a seeker, but tastily presented with caring and morale-boosting support. Not to mention the gentleness the knowledge is wrapped in.

That, dear.... is much of what many SDB sufferers need in addition to the hard facts, strong suggestions, multiple unofficial tweaks, hardware, software and a well-fitted interface.

LOLOL..... I'm stopping before I pop out a sentence with "lubrication" in it.

Thanks, Laura....

Nodzy

packer · Post by **packer** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:13 pm

I work in the addictions field- maybe thats why I am so pro-active about all this

my patients only get well WHEN they become active in their own care

I would get rid of a doctor or counselor that treated me like a child- telling me what to do- as they say treating me like a mushroom [ means keeping me in the dark and feeding me bull{$%#]

who's life is it anyhow?

I fired a DME and took my own report into my doc showing full compliance and low AHI- he didnt know what to make of it at first but soon congratulated me

next time I go see him I am taking report from encore pro and report from 7500-

I also think we can lend 7500 to friends who think they have apnea- as a pre-screen type of deal- before they go see the experts

also- thanks so much to this board and rested gal and others like her who help so many people Packer

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:38 pm

packer wrote:I work in the addictions field- maybe thats why I am so pro-active about all this

my patients only get well WHEN they become active in their own care

I would get rid of a doctor or counselor that treated me like a child- telling me what to do- as they say treating me like a mushroom [ means keeping me in the dark and feeding me bull{$%#]

who's life is it anyhow?

I fired a DME and took my own report into my doc showing full compliance and low AHI- he didnt know what to make of it at first but soon congratulated me

next time I go see him I am taking report from encore pro and report from 7500-

I also think we can lend 7500 to friends who think they have apnea- as a pre-screen type of deal- before they go see the experts

also- thanks so much to this board and rested gal and others like her who help so many people Packer

Packer,
You nailed it multiple times.

A simple, low-cost night with a recording oximeter, and review of the data, can reveal sleep breathing problems and maybe even point toward other problems such as heart or brain malfunctions. That oximetry night could be used to prioritize patients that need the sleep study done pronto, and move them to the head of the line... and those who aren't so direly afflicted could be scheduled following.

Statistically though, oxygen desat's can vary greatly by quantity, depth of each desat and length of time in each desat in most people from night-to-night -- while all other possibly contributing factors remain the same. I think a minimum two-night-run with the recording oximeter would be the better choice for gauging.

And as you said: To help someone get solid proof initially to verify a sleep problem that needs to be medically assessed and properly treated…. is a fantastic idea. Passing along the help you’ve received…. what better way to give back.

Nodzy

BelmontAl · Post by **BelmontAl** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:52 pm

Mindy - thanks for the post and sharing your findings re this pulseox. I have had access from time to time to a loaner pulseox (Konica) and been thinking about getting my own. I used to think that AHI was the primary metric for this condition, but now believe that visability into one's O2 levels throughout the night is equally, if not more, important.

Nodzy - very well said! I am grateful that my sleep doctor and her staff have just the opposite attitude regarding my treatment. They have been very receptive to my specific requests (guided by the great advice on this board).

Rested gal - just wanted to add my thanks for your invaluable contributions to this board.

Al

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap machine, respironics, bipap, hose, Encore Pro, AHI, auto

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap machine, respironics, bipap, hose, Encore Pro, AHI, auto

SPO-7500 usage results and accuracy

SPO-7500 usage results and accuracy

SPO-7500

Re: SPO-7500

vitascore?

perhaps a different "model" of care

Re: perhaps a different "model" of care

Humidifier