A Review of the Best Pulse Oximeters for Hospitals

A standard of care in medicine in all healthcare facilities is monitoring the SpO2 level (blood oxygen saturation levels). This test is known as pulse oximetry. It’s non-invasive, meaning it produces results without causing pain and discomfort. Both in hospitals and home settings, you’ll come across different types of SpO2 monitoring devices, from portable fingertip pulse oximeters to multiparameter monitors. These medical devices use different measurement approaches, from fingertip to palm, forehead, or even ear pulse monitoring.

Categories of SpO2 Monitoring Devices

The use of SpO2 monitoring devices at home and in hospital settings is now on the rise with COVID-19 (a disease that causes shortness of breath and impacts blood oxygen levels) contributing to this surge. Other conditions requiring pulse oximetry include heart failure, heart attack, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes pulse oximeters into two.

  • Prescription oximeters: These are FDA-approved devices with a 510(k) clearance, meaning they’re accurate, safe, and effective. Prescription oximeters are suitable for hospital settings, although you can use them at home.
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) oximeters: OTC oximeters are not FDA-reviewed. These are often found in stores or online, and you can buy them directly from retailers. The FDA does not recommend these oximeters for medical use; however, you can use them for sporting or aviation purposes.

Top Spo2 Monitoring Devices for Hospitals

Most hospital pulse oximeters are much more complex and designed for accuracy. Therefore, choosing the best SpO2 monitoring devices for hospitals is crucial to ensure high accuracy, ease of use, and patient comfort and safety. Let’s look at top picks for the best oximeters:

 

1. Nonin Avant 9600 Tabletop Oximeter

 

The Avant 9600 is FDA-approved, making it one of the best pulse oximeters for hospitals, home care, ambulances, clinics, and subacute settings. Its simple functionality and portability make it ideal for spot-checking and continuously monitoring patients in motion or nonmotion conditions.

The Nonin Avant 9600 is versatile as you can use it to assess SpO2 levels and pulse rate of neonatal, infant, pediatric and adult patients.

Looking for a compatible SpO2 Sensor for this unit? The compatible Nellcor S403-080 will provide the most accurate readings at an affordable price.

Product Specifications:

  • SpO2 Display Range: 0%–100%
  • PR Display Range: 18 to 300 BPM
  • Dimensions: 5.5" H × 7.25" W × 4.5" D 
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs (1 kilogram)
  • Power: 7.2-volt battery pack or 12 VDC 1.5A AC power supply
  • Operating Temperature: 32 °F to 122 °F (0 °C to 50 °C) 
  • Technology: PureSAT® Technology
  • Warranty: 3 years on the device, 1 year for battery

Features of Nonin Avant 9600:

  • Nurse call: You can connect to a facility nurse call system to allow users to activate call nurses.
  • Powerful internal memory: This offers 115 hours of memory to record SpO2 levels and pulse rate allowing monitoring for extended times. Once the memory is full, the device starts to replace the old data with the new one. In addition, you can download Nonin nVISION data management software to transfer recorded data for analysis.
  • Real-time and print-on-demand options: Nonin Avant 9600 allows you to connect to a computer for real-time data output or a printer for a printout.
  • Flexible alarm management options: It comes with a customizable alarm system. The alarms can notify you of crucial information, such as high SpO2, low SpO2, low battery, high pulse rate limit, and low pulse rate limit.
  • Patient security mode: This helps prevent unintentional changes to settings by patients.
  • Compact and rugged: It’s a lightweight and portable unit with a rugged design for durability.

Pros:

  • It has a user-friendly interface.
  • You can use it in motion and low perfusion.
  • Results are easy to read due to the large screen.
  • It’s accurate and reliable.
  • It’s low maintenance.

Cons:

  • It can translate too much motion as good SpO2 levels.
  • Nonin does not indicate device prices on its website.

 

2. Masimo Rad-67™ Pulse CO-Oximeter®

 

Masimo Rad-67 Pulse CO-Oximeter is a two-in-one handheld pulse oximeter for measuring oxygen saturation (SpO2) and total hemoglobin (SpHb). This device offers Next Generation SpHb technology spot-check monitoring when coupled with the rainbow® DCI®-mini sensor. 

Rad-67 is portable, making it suitable for spot-checking in emergency rooms, ambulances, pre- and post-surgery settings, homes, rehabilitation, and physicians’ offices. It measures four critical health parameters: total hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, pulse rate (PR), and perfusion index (Pi).

The spot checks displayed on the screen also have signal quality indicators. Further, this device allows you to label parameters with unique identifiers such as patient names.

It’s good to note that SpHb levels are optional and available when you use compatible sensors with Next Generation SpHb technology. Its SpHb is not recommended for pregnant, pediatric, or patients with renal disease.

Product Specifications:

Masimo Rad-G RD-SET

  • SpO2 Accuracy Range: 70%–100%
  • PR Accuracy Range: 25–240 bpm
  • SpHb Accuracy range: 8–17 g/dL
  • Dimensions: 7.6" × 3.2" × 0.9"
  • Weight: .0.81 lbs (0.37 kg)
  • Power: Li-ion Battery
  • Operating Temperature: 32–95º F (0–35º C)  
  • Technology: Signal Extraction Technology® (SET®)
  • Warranty: 12 months on the device, 6 months on battery
  • Price: $1,949

Rad-67 Pulse CO-Oximeter Features:

  • HD Display: It has a bright, colored LCD screen with an ambient light sensor that adjusts its brightness automatically.
  • Rechargeable battery: It offers 6 hours of charging time and up to 6 hours of usage time.
  • Intuitive touchscreen: This allows easy navigation.
  • Wireless printer compatibility: This allows healthcare providers to print results easily wirelessly

Pros:

  • It’s lightweight and hence portable.
  • It’s easy to clean.
  • It has a user-friendly interface.
  • It offers Wi-Fi connectivity (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz)
  • It has a large spot check.
  • The storage can store up to 2,000 sessions.

Cons:

  • It’s suitable for spot-checking only.
  • It has a short warranty.
  • It’s a bit expensive.
  • It has no parameter alarms.

 

3. OxilinePulse 9S Pro

 

OxilinePulse 9S Pro is an FDA-approved finger pulse oximeter suitable for spot-checking in hospital settings and at home. It’s also a perfect monitoring device for athletes or those in rehabilitation.

Oxiline Pulse 9S Pro provides readings for Spo2, pulse rate, and perfusion index (PI). This fingertip pulse oximeter uses patented VTEC™ nanosensors to offer accurate and reliable results within 7 seconds.

Product Specifications:

  • Model name: Pulse 9S Pro™
  • Sensor type: VTEC™ A9 Sensor
  • Weight: 0.2 lbs 
  • Power: 2 AAA batteries
  • Technology: VTEC™
  • Warranty: Lifetime
  • Price: $69

OxilinePulse 9S Pro Features:

  • Display: This has a bright multicolored OLED screen that displays large digits.
  • Battery: It uses 2 AAA batteries that can last up to 6 months. 

Pros:

  • It’s fast, lightweight, and easy to use.
  • It’s accurate and dependable.
  • It has a convenient size.
  • It comes with a 30-day money-back policy.
  • The display adjusts for easy reading.
  • It offers value for money.

Cons:

  • It’s not designed for continuous monitoring.
  • It’s a bit expensive.

 

4. CONTEC CMS50QB Pediatric Baby Pulse Oximeter

 

CONTEC CMS50QB is FDA approved and has an attractive appearance making it suitable for children. This fingertip oximeter is sized for children and is ideal for spot-checking in hospitals, homes, community healthcare, oxygen bar, and sports (before or after).

Looking for the compatible option our 10758 will provide the most accurate readings at an affordable price.

Product Specifications:

  • SpO2 Accuracy Range: 70%–100%
  • PR Range: 30–250 bpm
  • Dimensions: 46 (L) × 40(W) × 29(H) mm
  • Weight: 35g
  • Power: Voltage 3.6 rechargeable lithium battery
  • Technology: Photoelectric Oxyhemoglobin Inspection Technology with Capacity Pulse Scanning & Recording Technology
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Price: $20–$40

CONTEC CMS50QB Features:

  • It has a dual-color OLED screen that displays wave, PR, and SpO2 parameters. 
  • It has a heartbeat sound and an alarm.
  • It comes with a low-voltage indicator.
  • It powers off automatically.

Pro:

  • It has an attractive color and design.
  • It’s a lightweight, small, and portable pulse oximeter.
  • It’s easy to use and read parameters.
  • It’s affordable.
  • You can change the display mode.

Cons:

  • It’s hard to position and recognize a child’s finger.
  • You have to hold down the device to get a reading.
  • The alarm is too loud.

 

5. CMI Health PC-66H Pulse Oximeter

 

CMI Pulse Oximeter PC-66H is a CE and FDA-approved handheld device that measures and monitors SpO2, perfusion index, and pulse rate. This oximeter is versatile as it is compatible with adult, infant, and pediatric sensors. 

You can use it for spot-checking and continuous monitoring in hospitals and homes. This handheld oximeter is affordable and offers the same accuracy and reliability as other high-priced SpO2 devices. The PC-66H sensor design is suitable for foot wrap sensor (infant) or finger.

Product Specifications:

  • Model No.: PC-66H
  • SpO2 Accuracy: 3% between 70%–100%
  • PR Accuracy: 2 bpm
  • Dimensions: 5.5" × 3" × 1.2" 
  • Weight: 1.650 lbs
  • Power: 3 AA batteries
  • Warranty: 1 year on the device, 6 months on the sensor
  • Price: $199.99

CMI Health PC-66H Features:

  • Easy to read display: This comes with a high-resolution colored LCD to display pulse rate, SpO2, and plethysmogram.
  • Portability: The device is lightweight and easily fits all its accessories in a small carry case.
  • Good storage: You can store continuous oximetry data for up to 16 days (384 hours). It also allows you to transfer data to your PC for evaluation.
  • Adjustable alarm: Set alarm for high/low pulse rate or low SpO2 levels.

Pros:

  • It’s very affordable.
  • It’s accurate and reliable.
  • It’s easy to connect and use.
  • The manufacturer provides excellent customer support.
  • It’s battery operated, so you can use it anywhere.
  • It comes with a 30-day money-back policy.

Cons:

  • It’s only compatible with CMI Health SpO2 sensors
  • Overnight sensors are sold separately.
  • It’s not rechargeable.

 

6. Nellcor™ Bedside SpO₂ Patient Monitoring System, PM100N

 

Nellcor™ Bedside SpO₂ Patient Monitoring System, PM100N is suitable for any hospital setting. It also has functionality for the non-clinical setting. As the name suggests, this device can be placed at a patient’s bedside to provide continuous SpO2 and pulse rate monitoring.

It uses the latest pulse oximetry technology to capture accurate and reliable readings even during motion, low perfusion, or in case of any other signal interference. In addition, the Nellcor™ PM100N has a password feature to prevent an unintentional setting change or data deletion.

Looking for a compatible SpO2 Sensor for this unit? The compatible Nellcor S403-01P0 sensor and E710-700 adapter cable will provide the most accurate readings at an affordable price.

Product Specifications:

  • SpO2 Range: 1%–100%
  • PR Range: 20–250 bpm
  • Dimensions: 10.04" × 3.23" × 6.10" 
  • Weight: 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs.), including battery
  • Power: Lithium-ion battery, AC 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 45 VA.
  • Operating Temperature: (41°F to 104°F)
  • Technology: Nellcor™ digital signal processing technology
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Price: $1,057.14

Nellcor™ PM100N Features:

  • Compact Monitor: It displays SpO2, pulse rate, pulse amplitude, and plethysmographic waveforms.
  • Memory: The oximeter captures data every 4 seconds and offers storage for 96 hours.
  • SatSeconds™ alarm management: Controlled by clinicians, this feature helps minimize nuisance alarms.

Pros:

  • It’s suitable for home and hospital use.
  • It’s good for continuous monitoring.
  • It’s versatile as you can use it for adults, pediatric, and neonatal.
  • Your data is safe as it offers password protection.

Cons:

  • It’s a bit expensive.

 

Hopefully, you will find a suitable oximeter from our list of the best SpO2 monitoring devices for hospitals. Choosing the best pulse oximeter that delivers high accuracy while being easy to use and gentle on users is important. Even more important is ensuring the device is FDA-approved for hospital use.