Blood oxygen monitoring at home (the oximetry @home service)

Oximetry @home is a support service for those who have tested positive for Covid-19 and are clinically at risk.

You are given a small fingertip device and advice about how to monitor the oxygen levels in your blood at home.

Monitoring your oxygen levels at home is simple to do and will keep you safe, giving you the information that you need at your fingertips.

This is because your oximeter can help you spot low levels of oxygen in your blood before you feel breathless, so you can get help quickly.

Action can then be taken in time with support from a healthcare team, before you deteriorate, reducing your need for a hospital visit.

If you test positive for Covid-19 using a lateral flow test, it is important that you register the result via the NHS website or app, or you may not receive the oximetry care you need.

Covid Oximetry @home service: a GP and patient perspective

For further information about blood oxygen monitoring at home in your local area, please click on the relevant link below: 

• Gloucestershire
• Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire
• Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire
• Somerset
• Dorset
• Devon
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

Further general information

• How to use an oximeter – available in a number of languages
• Healthwatch providing patient advocacy and advice
• Keeping safe if you’ve tested positive for covid
• Easy read version of ‘how to use an oximeter’
• Guidance for use of oximeters with those with darker skin Existing oximeter guidance does also take this into account
• Patient diary and translations – see this self-monitoring diary for people accessing the service. Also available in Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi and Urdu
• Pulse oximetry film – NHSX and translations This film featuring Dr Matt Inada Kim shows how to use a oximeter at home and is available in 11 languages:
  • English
  • Alternative languages
• Monitoring your oxygen levels at home: BSL version

Further information

If you are a member of the public in the South West and would like further information about Covid  Oximetry at Home and the Virtual Ward, please email: england.swcommunityhealthandcare@nhs.net

If you are a consultant or NHS member of staff in the South West and would like to access further information and case studies about Covid Oximetry at Home and the Virtual Ward, please visit the FutureNHS platform by following this link: South West ‘Covid Oximetry @home’ and ‘Covid Virtual Ward’ Case Studies – NHS @home – FutureNHS Collaboration Platform