Abstract
Background: Pulse oximeters are vital in healthcare, yet uncertainties remain about potential variations in oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements depending on the finger used. Our study compared SpO2 values from different fingers in 200 young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, capturing SpO2 values from every finger on both hands using a standard pulse oximeter. Results: Mean SpO2 differed slightly among fingers, from 98.29 (left index finger) to 98.70 (right ring finger). The majority of participants were male (59%) and 20 years old. Pulse rates ranged from 55 to 130 beats per minute, averaging at 85.23 bpm. Conclusions: Our results indicate finger choice for pulse oximetry can affect SpO2 readings, with the highest mean reading obtained from the right ring finger. This could potentially impact clinical practice.
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