Effect of using disposable polyethylene bag as a probe cover or finger cover in pulse oximetry

BACKGROUND: Consumer-grade pulse oximeters are used to monitor blood oxygen levels (SpO(2)) at home. Sharing a pulse oximeter with family members in isolation centers or home isolation due to COVID-19 may increase the chances of cross-infection. AIM: We aimed to find if using commonly available disposable polyethylene covers either on the finger and/or on the pulse oximeter provides the same reading of SpO(2) or not. METHODS: Two operators measured SpO(2) on 10 healthy subjects with three randomly selected pulse oximeters. Six types of commonly available polythene bags (transparent, translucent, and opaque) were used to cover the fingers and/or device. After measuring the baseline SpO(2) (i.e., without using covers), the measurements were taken with a covered finger, and/or covered oximeter probe. RESULTS: The mean age of the research participants (five male, five female) was 23.9 ± 5.11 years. Perfusion index was 9.12 ± 1.63 (males 9.6 ± 1.42, females 8.64 ± 1.85, P = 0.38). Black opaque polyethylene bag as finger or probe cover did not detect any signal. There was no difference in SpO(2) reading when a pulse oximeter probe is covered, and/or a finger is covered. There was excellent inter-observer and inter-device agreement. CONCLUSION: Commonly available transparent and translucent polyethylene plastic bags may be used as finger or pulse oximeter cover without compromising the SpO(2) reading. However, an opaque black plastic bag is not suitable for finger or probe cover. These easily available and cheap pulse oximeter covers may be used by multiple patients or family members in an emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic with the potential to prevent cross-infection.