New York—A study has found that 8.7% of paired pulse oximetry readings varied by 5% or more, when probes were placed on a finger and an earlobe during the administration of general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care. In addition, 4.6% of paired readings differed by 7% or more.
“Anesthesiologists need to know that differences as large as 7% or more are not uncommon,” said Gabriela Samayoa, MD, the primary author and a research assistant at Montefiore Medical Center, in