(WBMA) – A study found racial bias in a common lifesaving medical detection device, according to the FDA.

The device is called a pulse oximeter and it's used to make important medical decisions for patients, especially in the pandemic.

It is an electronic device that measures the saturation of oxygen carried in your red blood cells.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows the use of that type of device failed at getting a proper blood oxygen reading in more Black patients than white patients.

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According to the FDA, it’s likely the device is less accurate in people with “dark skin pigmentation”.

"I don't think there was a dramatic difference in how the COVID disease process could have been managed over the year," Dr. Michael Luther said. "But in individual circumstances, no doubt someone was told that their oxygen was 94 and it was really 87 and it may have delayed care in those individual cases."

Doctor Luther is with Grandview’s primary care facility in Homewood and said adjustments will have to be made going forward, to ensure extra attention is paid to oxygen levels in Black patients.

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“We would kind of subjectively be a little more skeptical if someone who identifies as Black said that their home reading is 93%. We might just tell ourselves, 'you know there is a three times higher chance that, that’s not right compared to someone who identifies as white'. And then we would say, ok be more cautious, have a different threshold to call me back again,” Dr. Luther said.

To get as accurate a reading as possible from home, Dr. Luther said to move around the home to get your heart rate up slightly and run warm water over your hands until they are warm, colder hands make readings more difficult.