I’m bringing back my Peabody Body Award Winning “Racial Bias in Medicine” series and adding updates about the changes that have, and have not been made over the past few years. First up, let’s talk about pulse oximeters. Pulse oximeters are devices used ubiquitously in hospitals that measure how much oxygen is in your blood. For decades, however, it’s been known that these devices can be faulty, and overestimate oxygen levels in patients with darker skin. Unfortunately, a new, updated pulse oximeter that is more accurate in darker skin tones has not yet been created. And while a new device has STILL not yet been created, the FDA in January 2025 released draft guidelines for manufacturers. But attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have slowed the adoption of the recommendations of the advisory. Without enforceable requirements, the industry is continuing to use devices that we already know perform worse for millions of patients. Follow, like and share, and stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into the origins of pulse oximeters, how the device leads to disparities, and the scientists attempting to create an inclusive pulse oximeter.
