(Plymouth Meeting, PA, Thursday, February 18, 2021) – Popular medical devices worn by consumers that claim to measure heartrate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sleep, and other important indicators of health may not be accurate or may be misleading.

Sales of consumer pulse oximeters (devices that measure oxygen levels) have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic as people have monitored themselves for potential infection, especially when clinical testing is not readily available.

Wearable medical technology products marketed to consumers have not undergone the same rigorous FDA testing and approval process as medical-grade devices.

Consumers are increasingly relying on wearable medical technology to monitor their health but the information they are receiving may lead to a false sense of wellness and security.

Those who are actually ill may choose to not see a doctor because their device is providing inaccurate readings. This is particularly dangerous for people using devices to monitor chronic conditions like high blood pressure.

The ability of consumer products to fulfill their marketing claims sometimes relies at least in part on users entering and updating their own data—a requirement that leaves the products vulnerable to data-entry errors. Missing or incorrect data can confuse users, impede care, and waste the patient’s and physicians’ time.

ECRI’s Dr. Marcus Schabacker, president and CEO, discusses:

• What insights wearable health technology can actually provide;
• The risks of relying on consumer-grade technology to monitor health, especially for people with chronic conditions;
• Why wearable health technology is not a replacement for routine medical care; and
• How consumers can get the most accurate information from wearable devices

Dr. Marcus Schabacker is president and CEO at ECRI, the nation’s largest patient safety organization. ECRI works to improve the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of care across all healthcare settings. Learn more about ECRI at www.ecri.org.