Pulse oximeters don’t work as well on Black patients, despite their common use

Inadequate medical equipment led to a misdiagnosis for Tomisa Starr, a Black patient experiencing breathing issues in the hospital. Despite her concerns, doctors dismissed the possibility of false readings from pulse oximeters, which tend to be less accurate on darker skin tones. The FDA recently issued draft guidance to address the racial disparities in pulse oximetry, highlighting the need for more inclusive testing and regulation of medical devices.

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