Welcome to the GP Healthcare Alliance’s Pulse Oximetry and Oxygen Saturation course.
This course is designed for any staff members who will be working in the health sector in a Primary and Secondary care clinical role in the United Kingdom and could take up to 1 hour to complete, based on your current knowledge and work place experience. The aim of this training is for the learner to be able to understand Pulse Oximetry and Oxygen Saturation as required by your workplace. The recording details will be specific to SystmOne only but all other information will be generic. You will always adhere to your workplace protocols; gain an understanding of what you will need to do and why, maintaining professional practices throughout. All guidelines provided in the Lessons are correct and current at the time of writing. You will need to ensure that you follow any updated guidelines and work protocols within your practice.
Pulse Oximetry and Oxygen Saturation
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- Average time to complete: 1 hour
- 100% online
- Downloadable resources included
- Free CPD-accredited certificate to evidence professional development
This CPD-accredited online pulse oximetry training course is designed for clinical staff working across primary and secondary care. It covers how a pulse oximeter works, how to take and assess oxygen saturation readings, common causes of inaccurate results, considerations for patients with respiratory conditions and how oxygen saturation can be recorded within SystmOne.
Why this course matters
- Oxygen saturation can provide useful information when assessing a patient’s respiratory status and possible deterioration
- A pulse oximeter reading is only one part of the clinical picture and should be considered alongside the patient’s presentation and history
- Poor technique and external factors can produce readings that do not accurately reflect the patient’s condition
- Individual baseline oxygen saturation can vary, particularly for patients with chronic respiratory conditions
- Recognising unexpected readings and concerning symptoms supports timely escalation to an appropriate clinician
- Clear documentation helps ensure oxygen saturation measurements are available to inform ongoing patient care
What you will learn
- What pulse oximetry measures and how a pulse oximeter produces an oxygen saturation reading
- How to prepare a patient and obtain a reliable pulse oximetry measurement
- Factors that can interfere with the accuracy of oxygen saturation readings
- How to consider the reading alongside symptoms, patient presentation and relevant medical history
- Important considerations when assessing patients with chronic respiratory conditions, including COPD
- How to record an oxygen saturation result within SystmOne
Who this course is for
This online pulse oximetry and oxygen saturation course is particularly relevant to clinical staff who take observations or monitor patients as part of their role, including:
- Healthcare assistants working in general practice or other healthcare settings
- Nursing associates involved in monitoring and assessing patients
- Practice nurses undertaking patient observations and clinical reviews
- Clinical support workers in primary, community or secondary care
- Care and support staff whose role includes appropriately delegated oxygen saturation monitoring
- New or returning clinical staff who need introductory or refresher training in pulse oximetry
Learners should complete any practical competency assessment required by their employer before independently undertaking pulse oximetry where this forms part of their clinical role.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain what a pulse oximeter measures and recognise the information displayed on the device
- Prepare appropriately and describe how to obtain a reliable oxygen saturation reading
- Identify factors that may affect the accuracy of pulse oximetry
- Consider oxygen saturation alongside a patient’s symptoms, history and overall presentation
- Recognise when readings or associated symptoms may require clinical escalation
- Record an oxygen saturation measurement appropriately within SystmOne
Full course description
Understanding pulse oximetry
The course introduces pulse oximetry and oxygen saturation, explaining what a pulse oximeter measures and how light passing through the finger is used to estimate the percentage of oxygen carried in the blood.
Learners are also introduced to the information displayed by the device, including oxygen saturation, pulse rate and the waveform that can help indicate the quality of the reading.
Taking an accurate reading
Several factors can influence the result produced by a pulse oximeter. Practical guidance covers patient preparation, positioning and allowing the reading to stabilise, alongside common issues such as cold hands, nail varnish, false nails and poor peripheral circulation.
Just as importantly, learners are encouraged to look beyond the device and consider whether the reading makes sense alongside the patient’s breathing, appearance and symptoms.
Understanding oxygen saturation in context
Oxygen saturation does not mean the same thing for every patient. The course considers expected readings alongside relevant medical and social history and introduces some of the additional considerations involved when monitoring people with respiratory disease.
Attention is given to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the importance of appropriate clinical assessment and escalation when oxygen levels or respiratory symptoms are concerning.
You can learn more about caring for adults with asthma by taking our Asthma for Adults in Primary Care online course.
Recording results in SystmOne
For learners working with SystmOne, screenshot-based guidance demonstrates how oxygen saturation information can be located and recorded within the patient record.
The remainder of the course is not dependent on SystmOne, making the clinical learning relevant to staff using other patient-record systems as well.
Assessment and certification
At the end of the course, you will complete an assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered. You will need to achieve a result of 80% or higher to pass.
On successful completion, you will receive a free CPD-accredited certificate, which can be downloaded or printed as evidence of your professional development.
Professional responsibility and scope
This course supports knowledge and understanding of pulse oximetry but does not, by itself, confirm clinical competence.
- Competency should be assessed within your workplace
- Practice should align with local protocols, current guidance, and professional standards
- You are responsible for applying learning appropriately within your role
- Oxygen saturation should be considered alongside the wider clinical picture rather than used in isolation
- Concerning symptoms or unexpected readings should be escalated appropriately
- Oxygen should only be administered by staff trained and authorised to do so
Average time to complete
Approximately 1 hour, depending on your prior knowledge and experience. The course is fully self-paced, allowing you to complete it in stages. You can revisit any sections that you’re unsure of.
Course Content
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I buy this course for someone else?
Yes. To do this, register using their email address and the name they would like to appear on their certificate.
For example, you might know them as Kate, but they may need their certificate issued in their full birth name, Katherine. It’s best to check these details with them first.
Once the purchase is complete, they will receive the automatic course link by email.
Can I complete the course in my own time, and how long do I have to access it?
All of our online courses are self-paced, so you can complete them at a time that suits you. Your progress is saved at the end of each lesson, allowing you to return and continue later.
You will have six months from the date of enrolment to complete the course. After six months, the course will no longer be available.
Some courses, such as Basic Life Support, must be completed annually by clinical staff. A new course will therefore need to be purchased each year to ensure the training reflects the most up-to-date guidance.
Can I access the training material after completing the course?
Yes. The course materials are available to download during your access period, so you can keep a copy for future reference. Your course access will remain active for six months from the date of enrolment, after which the course will no longer be available.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept card payments via Stripe. You can pay using a debit or credit card (such as Visa or Mastercard).
When will I get my certificate?
As soon as you have passed the end-of-course assessment and achieved the required pass rate of 80% or more, your certificate will be available to download from the top of the course page.
Do you offer refunds if I no longer need the course?
Refunds may be available if you have not logged into your account.
Once you have logged in, you will have access to the course materials and downloadable content, and a refund will no longer be possible.
What should I do if I can't log into my account?
When registering, please make sure you enter the correct email address, as login issues are often caused by an incorrect email being used. It can help to copy and paste your email address to avoid mistakes.
If you are unable to log in, click ‘Forgotten password’ and follow the instructions to reset your password via the email link sent to you.
If you continue to experience issues, please contact GPHA-training@gphealthcarealliance.co.uk and we will endeavour to respond within two working weeks.
Save with flexible discounts
Create a bespoke training package:
Choose five or more courses for one learner and receive 30% off the full package
Book training for your team:
Purchasing multiple licences for the same course?
- 5 or more learners, receive 10% off
- 10 or more learners, receive 20% off
To receive a discount code or discuss offers, email gpha-training@gphealthcarealliance.co.uk
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