WATERTOWN — Throughout January and February, the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization’s telehealth network procured and distributed 465 pulse oximeters to several of its health care partners in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
Pulse oximeters go on a patient’s finger and measure the saturation of oxygen in the blood, as well as the patient’s pulse. The provision of these oximeters enables partners to implement borrowing programs for high-risk patients with COVID-19 or other diseases resulting in respiratory illness.
Along with the oximeters, FDRHPO provided a tracking log, device instructions and directions about what to do if oxygen levels are at or below 90% for more than an hour. Samaritan Medical Center has had a similar program in place.
“We are very pleased to support our partners’ efforts with COVID by making these pulse oximeters available to them and, thereby, to their patients,” Erika Flint, FDRHPO executive director, said in a statement. “Now, even more health care providers across the tri-county region can give their patients the ability to monitor at home with the hope of empowering them to seek care at the right time and the right place.”
