The pandemic linked to Covid has highlighted the importance of assessing blood oxygenation to promptly notice the first breathing difficulties.
To raise awareness on the usefulness of measuring oxygen levels in the blood through the use of the oximeter (less than 10% of Italian families have one) the Italian Society of Pneumology (Sip) together with Federfarma (which represents more than 18,000 private pharmacies ) and with the patronage of Fofi, Federation of Italian Pharmacist Orders, launches the MisuriAMO health education and prevention campaign. Until December 20 in participating pharmacies it will be possible to undergo a free blood oxygen measurement; the data collected anonymously will be used to carry out a scientific study by Sip "." The oximeter is a simple and safe instrument - explains Luca Richeldi, Sip president - which is applied to the finger of the hand and in a few seconds provides two values: arterial saturation and heart rate. It should be in all homes, like the thermometer, but less than 10% of households own one. Saturation values higher than 95% are to be considered normal. In the context of Covid-19, values below 92% must trigger the alarm. "The decision rests with the doctor - he adds - but the measurement of oxygen levels in the blood is essential to intervene when it is really necessary, avoiding unnecessary alarms and pressure on the emergency room, while ensuring timely interventions in case of respiratory failure". "Pharmacies, during the Covid-19 emergency - underlines Marco Cossolo, president of Federfarma - have proven to be a proximity garrison ready to respond adequately to the needs of citizens, as an integral part of the SSN and today they are ready to play an even more strategic role. The MisuriAMO campaign goes precisely in this direction, as it aims to enhance the commitment of pharmacies in the prevention and monitoring of chronic patients ".