Novel Respiratory Gas Exchange Meter for Triaging Patients

This discussion was recorded on July 21, 2022. This transcript has been edited for clarity.

Robert D. Glatter, MD: Welcome. I'm Dr Robert Glatter, medical advisor for Medscape Emergency Medicine. Today we have a distinguished panel joining us to discuss their important research for rapidly identifying patients with compromised lung function — particularly from COVID-19 — who may be at risk for hypoxia and therefore require not only supplemental oxygen but also potentially a higher level of care.

Joining us to discuss their important research is Dr John B. West, emeritus professor of medicine and physiology, UC San Diego School of Medicine (UCSD), who's authored more than 500 articles and the well-known textbook Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials. Also joining us is Dr [William] Cameron McGuire, pulmonary–critical care physician and clinical instructor at UCSD.

Welcome to both of you, gentlemen.

John B. West, MD, PhD: Thank you.

William C. McGuire, MD, MPH: Thanks for having us.

Glatter:Dr West, I'd like to start with you. Triaging patients, we've traditionally used pulse oximetry. It's quick and easy, but there are problems with it. One problem is that skin type can affect how we measure oxygenation, and because of this, it can overestimate the need for oxygen.