How to Calibrate a Pulse Oximeter

Pulse oximeters measure the amount of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen in the arteries in order to determine how well a patient's lungs are working. This information is very important for oxygen technicians because it tells them if the patient is getting enough oxygen from his home medical equipment.

Instructions

• 1

  Read the instructions carefully before you begin. Some pulse oximeters calibrate automatically upon start-up, but others have an "auto-calibrate" button that you will have to push after starting the oximeter.

• 2

  Start the pulse oximeter.

• 3

  Press "auto-calibrate" if applicable. If your machine does not have a calibration button, it probably calibrated itself when you started it.