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Roth Score for Hypoxia Screening
Counting test that flags likely hypoxaemia when pulse oximetry is unavailable.
Roth Score for Hypoxia Screening
Highest number reached counting 1-30 in one breath
number
Time spent counting in that single breath
sec
Complete the fields above to see the result.
When to use
- Remote or resource-limited triage of dyspnoea when a pulse oximeter is not to hand.
- As an adjunct that raises suspicion of hypoxaemia - not a substitute for measured SpO2.
Formula
Patient inhales and counts 1-30 aloud in a single breath. Record the highest number reached and the elapsed seconds. Counting number <10 or time <7 s suggests SpO2 <95%; number <=7 or time <5 s suggests SpO2 <90%.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Derived in stable ward patients; not validated in acute distress, children, or non-native speakers.
- A normal Roth score does not exclude hypoxaemia - always confirm with oximetry when feasible.