Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
Usability Testing of a Reusable Pulse Oximeter Probe Developed for Health-Care Workers Caring for Children < 5 Years
Nicholas Boyd1, Carina King2, Isabeau A Walker3,1
1Great Ormond Street Hospital, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.
Insights
A new, low-cost pediatric pulse oximeter probe was developed for low-resource settings. Usability testing showed it was successfully used by healthcare workers, making it suitable for wider implementation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Global Health
Background:
- Hypoxemia is a key predictor of childhood pneumonia mortality in low-resource settings (LRS).
- Existing pediatric pulse oximeter probes are often too expensive or complex for LRS implementation.
- There is a critical need for accessible and user-friendly oximetry tools in LRS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and develop a low-cost, reusable pediatric pulse oximeter probe using human-centered design principles.
- To evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the developed probe among healthcare workers (HCWs) in LRS.
- To assess the time and success rate of peripheral arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) measurements.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one HCWs from Malawi, Bangladesh, and the UK participated in usability testing.
- Seven experts provided reference SpO2 measurements for comparison.
- Four rounds of testing were conducted with probe modifications, collecting 1,307 SpO2 readings from children under 5.
Main Results:
- Overall, 67% of SpO2 measurements were successful within 1 minute, 81% within 2 minutes, and 90% within 5 minutes.
- Increasing child age and the child being asleep were significantly associated with successful measurements within 1 minute.
- The probe demonstrated effective use by LRS HCWs on pediatric patients.
Conclusions:
- A novel, reusable pediatric oximetry probe was successfully designed and validated for use by LRS HCWs.
- The probe's usability and effectiveness suggest its suitability for implementation in low-resource settings to improve child health outcomes.
- This innovation has the potential to enhance the management of hypoxemia in children within resource-limited environments.
Abstract:
Hypoxemia measured by pulse oximetry predicts child pneumonia mortality in low-resource settings (LRS). Existing pediatric oximeter probes are prohibitively expensive and/or difficult to use, limiting LRS implementation. Using a human-centered design, we developed a low-cost, reusable pediatric oximeter probe for LRS health-care workers (HCWs). Here, we report probe usability testing. Fifty-one HCWs from Malawi, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom participated, and seven experts provided reference measurements. Health-care workers and experts measured the peripheral arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) independently in < 5 year olds. Health-care worker measurements were classed as successful if recorded in 5 minutes (or shorter) and physiologically appropriate for the child, using expert measurements as the reference. All expert measurements were considered successful if obtained in < 5 minutes. We analyzed the proportion of successful SpO2 measurements obtained in < 1, < 2, and < 5 minutes and used multivariable logistic regression to predict < 1 minute successful measurements. We conducted four testing rounds with probe modifications between rounds, and obtained 1,307 SpO2 readings. Overall, 67% (876) of measurements were successful and achieved in < 1 minute, 81% (1,059) < 2 minutes, and 90% (1,181) < 5 minutes. Compared with neonates, increasing age (infant adjusted odds ratio [aOR]; 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 3.02; toddler aOR: 4.33, 95% CI: 2.36, 7.97; child aOR; 3.90, 95% CI: 1.73, 8.81) and being asleep versus being calm (aOR; 3.53, 95% CI: 1.89, 6.58), were associated with < 1 minute successful measurements. In conclusion, we designed a novel, reusable pediatric oximetry probe that was effectively used by LRS HCWs on children. This probe may be suitable for LRS implementation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:26Traditional Level Of Health Care System
The preventive healthcare service includes tests for screening. Preventive health care services include identifying and reducing disease risk...
01:18Introduction To Health Care Delivery System
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...