SpO2 sensors, or "saturation of peripheral oxygen probes", or simply oxygen saturation probes are widely used in hospitals and by emergency units, where nurses deal with multiple patients at the time, and therefore, the infection control considerations are important. SpO2 probes that are detachable, easily disinfected, or even disposable, play a major role.

Disposable SpO2 sensors are used for a single patient only and come in several sizes, from the neonatal size used for newborns up to a month old, to pediatric size for children under 15KG, to infant size for children below 20KG, and finally, adult size for patients over 30KG.