DHB wants its oximeters back
Hundreds of monitors were loaned to help Covid-19 patients in Taranaki keep an eye on their blood oxygen level and pulse rate, and now the district health board wants them back.
The oximeters clip on the end of a patient’s finger and are about $90 each. The devices are very important for monitoring people who are at risk of developing breathing difficulties, Taranaki DHB’s Covid care in the community manager Cathy Taylor said.
‘‘Using an oximeter to monitor people ensures they can get the correct clinical care early, and may help to avoid somebody going to hospital as we can treat them and monitor them at home.
‘‘Getting them back is really important because our stocks are getting low and we want them to be available to other at-risk Covid patients rather than having to spend valuable health dollars on buying more.’’
Once a Covid patient has recovered the oximeters are no longer required and can be dropped off to their local GP or by calling 0508 436 374.