A lawsuit led by Noha Aboelata, CEO of a health clinic serving a predominantly Black and brown population in Oakland, California, has shed light on the racial biases inherent in pulse oximeters. These devices, critical for measuring blood oxygen levels, have been found to overestimate oxygen saturation in individuals with darker skin, leading to misdiagnosis and delays in treatment. Recognizing the life-threatening consequences of this bias, Aboelata and her clinic sued twelve manufacturers, urging them to rectify these disparities.
The legal actions have already prompted responses from several companies, including Medtronic, which recently settled and committed to improving transparency and education around their devices. Medtronic is educating healthcare professionals about the limitations of pulse oximeters and has begun initiatives to test future products on a more diverse range of skin tones. However, Aboelata expresses that this progress is insufficient, emphasizing the need for better-designed devices that serve all patients equitably.
Frustration among healthcare providers is palpable, as they await more decisive action from the FDA, which has been called upon to implement clearer guidelines. The ongoing inaction underscores a systemic issue where medical tools vary in effectiveness based on race, further entrenching health disparities. Aboelata notes, “How many more of my patients need to die before we fix this?” The urgency of addressing these inequities is paramount as the ramifications continue to affect minority communities across the nation.
See “Lawsuit to fix pulse oximeter bias makes progress with device manufacturers” (November 1, 2024)
