Home Health Monitors Explained: Blood Pressure Monitors, Thermometers, Pulse Oximeters and Stethoscopes

Many households and small practices keep a few basic monitoring tools on hand: a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, a finger pulse oximeter and, for trained users, a stethoscope. Each comes in several styles, and the differences are mostly about how the reading is taken, how easy the display is to read and what the device remembers. This guide explains the main styles and what to compare on each product page.

We sell equipment, not medical advice. A home reading is a number, not an explanation. Talk to your clinician about which readings to take, how often to take them and what to do with the results, and bring your device to an appointment if you want to compare it with theirs.

What types of blood pressure monitors are there?

Automatic upper-arm monitors

An automatic monitor inflates and deflates the cuff for you and shows the result on a screen. The Omron Automatic Inflation Blood Pressure Monitor works from a single button and shows blood pressure and pulse on a large LCD. It keeps the last 14 readings, uses a D-ring standard cuff and runs on four AA batteries, which are not included, or an AC adapter.

Wrist monitors

Wrist monitors are smaller and easier to pack, and the cuff wraps around the wrist rather than the upper arm. Position matters more with a wrist unit, so follow the instructions about holding the wrist at heart level.

Manual monitors

A manual monitor, also called a sphygmomanometer, pairs a cuff and a hand bulb with a gauge, and the user listens with a stethoscope while letting the air out. These are mainly for people trained to use them. Our tools and equipment collection includes the Graham-Field standard sphygmomanometer with a blue nylon cuff, and the monitor devices collection lists several automatic arm and wrist models.

Cuff size

Cuff size is the detail people most often miss. Measure around the middle of the upper arm with a soft tape and compare it with the cuff range on the listing or in the manual. A cuff that is too small or too large for the arm can throw the reading off, so check before you order, and call us if the cuff size is not listed.

What types of thermometers are there?

Thermometers differ in where they read, how fast they work and how they are cleaned between users.

• Digital stick thermometers. The Invacare 60 Second Digital Thermometer can be used by mouth, under the arm or rectally, beeps when it is done and is waterproof. It also recalls the last temperature and comes with 5 probe covers.
• Ear thermometers. The Invacare Instant Ear Thermometer gives a reading in about one second, stores up to 9 readings and switches between Fahrenheit and Celsius. It has a backlit screen and ships with 10 probe covers and a lithium battery.
• No-touch thermometers. These read infrared heat from the forehead without contact. Our Non-Touch Thermometer reads in seconds, has a large display and comes with a storage bag.
• Single-use and strip thermometers. Disposable thermometers and forehead strips suit settings where each person gets their own.

If several people share one thermometer, look for one that takes probe covers, and keep a supply on hand. Follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions between uses.

What does a finger pulse oximeter show?

A finger pulse oximeter clips over a fingertip and shows two numbers: SpO2, the oxygen saturation reading, and pulse rate. On the Medline Digit Finger Oximeter, the screen shows SpO2, pulse rate and a pulse strength bar. It is listed for patients from pediatric to adult, and has a large LED display with a single button. It turns itself off after 8 seconds without use, which saves the batteries.

Things to compare on an oximeter:

• The display type and size, and whether it can be read in low light.
• The age range the listing gives, especially for a child.
• Battery type and automatic power-off.
• Whether a lanyard or case is included for carrying it around.

Cold hands, nail polish and movement can affect how an oximeter picks up a signal, so follow the instructions for use. If you were asked to track these numbers, ask your clinician which ones matter for you.

How do you choose a stethoscope?

Stethoscopes are mostly bought by nurses, students and other trained users. The main choice is between a single-head chestpiece and a dual-head chestpiece, which has a diaphragm on one side and a bell on the other. The Classic Cardiology Stethoscope has a dual-head stainless steel chestpiece. Its listing gives the diaphragm as 100 to 1000 Hz and the deep bell as 20 to 100 Hz, and the stethoscope is latex free.

When you compare stethoscopes, look at the chestpiece material, single or dual tubing, the eartips, the tubing length and the warranty. Infant and neonatal models have smaller chestpieces, and teaching stethoscopes have two headsets so two people can listen at once.

Glucose meters and lancets

Glucose meters, lancets and lancing devices are also listed in our monitoring range. The Medline EvenCare G2, for example, talks the user through each test, shows a result in 6 seconds and stores up to 300 tests. Test strips and lancets are specific to each system, so match them to your meter, and talk to your clinician about when and how often to test.

How do home health monitors compare?

Checklist before you buy

• Ask your clinician which readings to take at home and how often.
• For a blood pressure monitor, measure the upper arm and check the cuff range.
• Check the power source and whether batteries are included.
• Look at the display size if the user has trouble reading small numbers. Talking models are also listed.
• Stock probe covers for a shared thermometer.
• Write the model name down so replacement cuffs, covers and batteries match.

Talk to us

Want help comparing two monitors? Call 1-877-861-8000, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Pacific, or email contactus@medsupplynow.com. We offer free shipping on all US orders. Browse our monitor devices, our tools and equipment and the wider healthcare supplies collection.

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