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  • Health Equity in Pulse Oximetry

    • Making a difference in bedside care

    Through educational resources and in-person events, we’re helping providers make an immediate impact on patient care and improve outcomes for all.

    Our tools and resources provide share-worthy information on how pulse oximeters work and tips for getting the most accurate SpO2 readings. They are made available to inspire confident use of pulse oximetry with the goal of protecting at-risk patients.

    Quick links

    Bite-sized learning

    Cover the basics of technology bias in pulse oximetry.


    Podcast

    Impact of skin pigmentation and clinical practice implications

    Find part four of the MedEd learning experience podcast on Nellcor™ pulse oximetry.

    Features John Gallagher, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, TCRN, RRT, FCCM, and professor, Frances Payne, Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University

    Explore the entire series.

    Listen now


    Podcast

    Pulse oximetry and the impact of skin pigmentation on the technology

    Find part five of MedEd learning experience podcast on Nellcor™ pulse oximetry.

    Features Jake Dove, PhD, senior principal R&D engineer at Medtronic

    Explore the entire series.

    Listen now


    Video series

    MedEd Bytes — Pulse oximetry and equitable monitoring

    View an eight-part video series on pulse oximetry and equitable monitoring. Each video is less than two minutes.

    See series

    Industry perspectives

    Hear from leading voices addressing technology bias in pulse oximetry.


    White paper
    Becker’s Healthcare

    Technology has a role in driving better, more equitable care

    This whitepaper was published by Becker’s Healthcare in 2024.

    View white paper (open in new window)


    Podcast
    Becker’s Healthcare

    Nurses at the forefront: driving equity in critical care

    This episode explores the critical role nurses play in advancing health equity within the ICU.

    Features Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, and president of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

    Listen now (open in new window)


    Podcast
    Becker’s Healthcare

    Overcoming bias in patient monitoring: a deep dive into pulse oximetry

    This episode explores the challenges of pulse oximetry accuracy in patients with darker skin tones.

    Features Sam Ajizian, MD, former vice president and chief medical officer at Medtronic, and Jason Case, the vice president of research and development in the Acute Care & Monitoring operating unit at Medtronic

    Listen now (open in new window)


    Webinar

    Advancing health equity in pulse oximetry

    This on-demand webinar from Becker’s Healthcare goes in-depth on pulse oximeters, the small device with a big impact on health equity.

    View webinar (open in new window)


    Article

    The evolution of pulse oximetry and its impact on patient care

    This article was published by American Nurse in October 2024.

    Read article (open in new window)

    Independent, peer-reviewed research

    Compare evidence from leading institutions.


    Journal article

    Low perfusion and missed diagnosis of hypoxemia by pulse oximetry in darkly pigmented skin: a prospective study

    Gudelunas et al 2024

    View article (open in new window)


    Journal article

    Skin pigmentation and pulse oximeter accuracy in the intensive care unit: a pilot prospective study

    Fawzy et al 2024

    View article (open in new window)


    Journal article

    Racial disparities in occult hypoxemia and clinically based mitigation strategies to apply in advance of technological advancements

    Chesley et al 2022

    View article (open in new window)

     

    Compartive Infographic

    Is your pulse oximeter treating all patients equally?

    A recent prospective study from a leading hypoxia lab enrolling healthy volunteers evaluated the effects of skin pigmentation and perfusion on pulse oximetry accuracy.

    Download infographic (open in new window)


    Website

    Open Oximetry project

    The Open Oximetry project was created to improve the safety and precision of pulse oximeters in all populations. The project evaluates the performance of many popular pulse oximeters including the Nellcor™ pulse oximeter.

    View site (open in new window)


    Journal article

    Pulse oximetry and skine tone in children

    Starnes et al 2025

    View article (open in new window)

    Partnered education

    Learn from experts at trusted professional organizations.


    Webinar
    American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

    Leading for equity: mitigating technology bias in patient care

    This AONL industry insight webinar was given in December 2024.

    View webinar (open in new window)


    Presentation
    Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)

    Health equity and pulse oximetry paradox

    This presentation was given by Meghan Lane-Fall, MD, MSHP, FCCM at the SCCM Critical Care Congress in January 2024. Sign up to listen to Medtronic Academy to earn CE credits.

    View now (open in new window)

    Medtronic has been investing heavily in educational events with professional organizations in local, regional, and national settings. These recordings represent a small sample.

    Resources

    * This material is educational/training only, and products may not be licenced as per Canadian law.