blood oxygen monitor reading.....finger type

[bluedolphin]

what is the safe level of oxygen in blood after someone has had a general anaesthetic and is recovering in bed in the ward.... I'm thinking nothing less than 98% can anyone let me know if this is sufficient....? Thanks

[skibenji]

Oh my god. Why is it that you are asking this question. Yes, this person should be on an oxygen supply after GE and should have a BOL of no less than 95%.

[Philtaz]

bluedolphin, You must stop this paranoia about your blood/oxygen saturation levels! I've answered this before for you. I am an ex smoker and when I place the 'peg' on my finger during slack periods in work I have never been above 95% though my BP is usually 130/70, which doesn't cause concern. If you fall below 80% for anything longer than 3 or 4 minutes then you may start to encounter complications. But really, as you seem to have the brain power to communicate on here then if I were you I'd STOP WORRYING!

[cg1308]

I agree,  The saturation can vary for many reasons, i.e. depending on whether you live at sea level etc.  As long as you are above 90% most Dr's wouldn't worry,  below that is more serious - and 80% is a problem!  But seriously,  dont rely on those things - nail varnish confuses them as does skin colouration.  Go on how you feel, breaths per minute, pulse rate and compare it to whats NORMAL FOR YOU, not what some book says!