CMS-50F pulse Oximeter getting consistent results

[markrb]

How can I make sure I am getting consistent accurate results?
I have had mine about a week now and noticed several things about it that make me wonder if I couldn't attach it better to get more accurate results.
The sensor seems a little lose for my index finger, but I started there. I taped the wire to the back of the finger to stop it from falling off.
I had a couple of errors where it obviously wasn't taking a reading and I could easily see that moving my finger made the line on the bottom of the screen go crazy.
I then moved it to my thumb and that seemed to give a little better results, but moving the thumb still made that line go crazy, even when taped, although I never got the grey no signal type error. I am wondering if movement would give a false high pulse reading?
One other thing I noticed is that different fingers give different results. My thumb may read 98, while my middle finger reads 95 right after moving it. Is this normal?
Will that line getting jumpy because I move my fingers effect the results? Is there a better way to attach the sensor to ensure consistent accurate results?
I have tried taping the end closed, but the tape doesn't stick very well to the device and it doesn't seem to help much when it does.

Thanks for all your help,
Mark

[DreamOn]

Mark, I don't use the same oximeter, so I don't know the answers to your questions. I'm bumping up your thread, since you haven't had any replies yet.

[pulseoxstore]

Hi,
You may want to try taping from the middle of your finger and over the probe to the other side of your finger. Then tape around your finger covering the tape you just applied. This will hold it securely.
Your oximeter will adjust for artifact readings. If you move your finger and the results spike it will consider that an artifact reading. If you look at the report after downloading it you will see the percentage of artifact. If you see a lot of these, you will need to secure the probe better. The report should throw out artifact recordings, but if you see a high percentage the reading may not be accurate if the probe is moving that much.

[markrb]

Is it OK to use a thumb? I seem to get the least amount of issues with using it. My index finger seems to give slightly lower readings then the my other fingers even when taped. My middle finger and thumb tend to be very close, while my index tends to trend about 2 points lower.

Mark

[echo]

Those sensors are probably calibrated for an average finger of certain density, perhaps your thumb and middle finger are thicker and the reading is therefore less accurate. I should look up which is more accurate, as this is pure conjecture on my part... (but I need to go to bed now!)

As far as artifacts, it's normal that the line (I assume that's the heartbeat tracking line you're talking about) bounces around if you move your hand a lot. That's ok, as it will stabilize once you stop moving... mine takes only a grew seconds to get the correct reading.

My SpO2 reading, however, stays stable even when I swing my arm around. If that's jumping around too much, either you're not getting a strong reading from your finger or your unit is defective (again pure conjecture here).

I wouldn't tape the end. I just tape the thin wire part to my hand or finger sometimes.

[waiting2exhale]

You can use any digit. I wouldn't tape it. If it's too tight it cuts off the circulation to your fingertip. I work in the ER, so if I'm not getting a reading sometimes I switch to the thumb. When someone takes your pulse in your wrist, they feel just below the thumb. The radial artery sits right there which means that the blood supply to your thumb is better than to other digits just because of it's proximity. Mother nature knows what she's doing... protecting the blood supply to your opposable thumb.

[DoriC]

I know I'm not the only one who just felt for my pulse! Thanks.