WASHINGTON (AP) — Makers of medical devices that quickly measure oxygen levels in the blood would have to gather extra data to show that their products work for patients of color, under a new federal proposal released Monday.
The Food and Drug Administration’s recommendations apply to pulse oximeters, which are clip-on devices used in hospitals and medical clinics to ensure patients are getting enough oxygen. The FDA said it wants companies to conduct larger studies and include more patients from different racial groups.
By snapping a device onto a finger and then sending two wavelengths of light into the skin, the oximeter measures how much of the light is absorbed and estimates how much oxygen is flowing through the blood.
Oximeters were a critical part of emergency care for patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic. But several studies have suggested that darker skin pigmentation can sometimes throw off the accuracy of readings. In 2021, the FDA warned doctors about potential inaccuracies with oximeters after a study found the devices tended to overestimate Black patients’ oxygen levels, which could lead to delays in getting treatment and increased risks of death.
The issue has become a prominent example of the potential racial biases of medical technology, leading to multiple meetings and studies by FDA regulators since 2022.
The FDA’s draft recommendations, which are not binding, would make several changes to how companies are expected to test their devices, including: