Racial Disparities in Oxygen Readings Delayed Covid Care, Study Reveals

A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that pulse oximeters, which measure blood-oxygen levels, routinely overestimated oxygen levels in the blood of darker-skinned Covid patients, leading to delays in treatment and hospital readmissions. The flawed readings disproportionately affected Black and Hispanic patients, who were more likely to have their condition go undetected and experience delays in receiving appropriate care. The issue has prompted concerns among researchers and experts, leading to reviews by federal regulators and calls for more accurate readings. The FDA plans to publish a discussion paper and convene a meeting with experts to address the issue and ensure equitable and accurate device performance for all patients.