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Content: The probe does not puncture the skin and the measurement can usually be read in 30 to 60 seconds. Why is Pulse Oximetry Used to Screen for CHD? Pulse oximetry is used to measure how much oxygen is in the blood. It is a routinely used test that can be used to monitor a baby's oxygen level during a procedure or treatment and can also be helpful in determining if a baby's heart and lungs are healthy. Pulse oximetry can also help to identify babies with serious heart problems due to low levels of oxygen in their blood. A health care provider may ask for more testing (such as an ultrasound of the heart or an echocardiogram) when a low pulse oximetry reading is identified. Who Should be Screened and When Will the Test be Done? According to the Children's National Medical Center, all babies in the newborn nursery who are not already thought to have CHD should be screened. The pulse oximetry test should be performed when a baby is older than 24 hours. What is a Normal Reading?