Using Oxygen at Home
Why would you need to use oxygen at home?
If you have chronic lung disease, your health care provider may prescribe oxygen. Examples of chronic lung diseases are asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, and heart failure.
Oxygen therapy can help you:
Breathe better.
Sleep better.
Feel better.
Be more alert.
Have more stamina.
Lead a more normal life.
Oxygen at very high levels over a long time can be dangerous, which is why you need a prescription from your health care provider. The prescription will spell out how much oxygen you need per minute (flow rate) and when you need to use oxygen. Some people need oxygen therapy only when they exercise or while they sleep. Others need to use oxygen around the clock. Your health care provider will measure the level of oxygen in your blood to see how much oxygen you need.
How can you get oxygen?
There are 3 ways to get oxygen at home:
*Tanks of Compressed Gas. Oxygen gas is stored under pressure in large, heavy tanks or small, portable tanks. The large tanks are kept at home, while the small tanks can be carried with you.
*Tanks of Liquid Oxygen. Oxygen is stored in these tanks as a very cold liquid. The liquid changes to a gas when it is released from the tank.
*Oxygen Concentrator. This is an electric device that separates the oxygen out of the air and concentrates it. It is not as costly as liquid oxygen, but you must have a tank of oxygen as a backup in case of a power failure.
You breathe oxygen from the tank or concentrator in 1 of 3 ways:
A nasal cannula is soft, plastic tubing that rests on your ears. Two thin prongs fit just inside your nostrils.
A nasal mask that fits over your nose and mouth may work best if you need a high flow of oxygen.
Transtracheal oxygen therapy requires the insertion of a small flexible catheter in your trachea (windpipe). The transtracheal catheter is held in place by a necklace. A humidifier is usually needed with transtracheal oxygen.
What is an Oxygen Concentrator?
Oxygen concentrators are stationary, electrical units that absorb nitrogen from ordinary room air and provide a continuous flow of oxygen. These systems are less expensive than liquid oxygen and do not need to be refilled. Typically, they are the most cost-effective source of oxygen therapy. Approximately 80% of Medicare home oxygen patients use oxygen concentrators in the home; however, concentrators are not an ambulatory source of oxygen.
When ambulation is required, most patients rely on lightweight gaseous portable cylinders paired with a conserving device. Some patients are provided only with a large, heavy, non-ambulatory E cylinder that is pulled around with a cart. Unlike liquid oxygen, compressed gas cylinders do not evaporate. This allows the patient to take along extra cylinders for extended outings, which is the key feature and benefit to compressed gas systems. Eventually, the cylinders must be refilled or replaced by the homecare providers when the patient depletes the oxygen supply
What special precautions do I need to take?
Pure oxygen is a fire hazard. Keep a fire extinguisher close by, and let your fire department know that you have oxygen in your home. Oxygen makes any fire burn faster and hotter. Keep flammable items away from the oxygen supply, such as:
alcohol
aerosol sprays
cleaning fluid, paint thinner, or other solvents
perfumes
petroleum products such as gasoline or oil.
Keep oxygen at least 5 feet away from sources of flames, sparks, or high heat. Examples include:
cigarettes
gas stoves and heaters
candles
Lit fireplaces.
Never smoke while you are using oxygen. Warn visitors not to smoke near you when you are using oxygen.
The highest safe temperature for the oxygen tank and accessories is 125°F (52°C).
Take precautions to prevent leaks from tanks of oxygen. If you need oxygen at home, a technician will help you set up your system. Always follow instructions for attaching the regulator. The tanks should be secured so that they do not fall over. Carefully seal them whenever they are not in use. The company that supplies your home oxygen will assist you with a setup and delivery schedule for bringing replacement tanks to your home.
If you use a concentrator, tell your electric company so you will be given priority for repairs if there is a power failure. Clean the air filter on the concentrator at least once a week.
What else do I need to know if I am using oxygen at home?
Wash cannulas or masks once or twice a week. Use liquid soap and rinse thoroughly. Change to a new cannula or mask every 2 to 4 weeks.
If you are using a transtracheal catheter, check with your health care provider to learn how to clean your catheter and humidifier bottle.
Oxygen therapy dries the inside of your nose and mouth. Use water-based lubricants such as KY Jelly on your lips or in your nose. Don't use an oil-based product, such as petroleum jelly.
Make sure you have good dental and gum care.
To keep your cheeks or the skin behind your ears from becoming irritated, tuck some gauze under the tubing.
Do not drink alcohol. It may slow your breathing rate. It may also cause you to forget the rules for being safe with oxygen.
Make sure your health care provider knows all the medicines and supplements you are taking.
Do not change the flow of oxygen without your health care provider's approval. Too much oxygen does not help. It can cause you to breathe too slowly, which allows too much carbon dioxide to build up in your blood. Too little oxygen can worsen shortness of breath and be harmful. Talk with your provider if you think your oxygen level needs to be adjusted.
You can travel with oxygen, but will need a special small tank. Seventh Street Medical Supply offer many options. Call us if:
You have a lot of headaches.
You feel more nervous than usual.
Your lips or fingernails are blue.
You have unusual drowsiness or confusion.
Your breathing is slow, shallow, difficult, or irregular.
Call your health care provider or your oxygen supplier if you have any questions about oxygen safety.
T H E T R U T H A B O U T O X Y G E N C O N S E R V E R S
Since all oxygen conservers are not the same, is your head spinning trying to figure them all out? These days it can be difficult to distinguish among the dozens of oxygen conserving devices on the market. All boast a different set of claims regarding their clinical efficacy, economic benefits, and easy of use. So how do you decide which is the right conserver for you. Here's some information to help you with your decision.
What is a conserving device?
An oxygen conserver is a device that delivers oxygen to the patient only on inhalation rather than continuous flow, as through conventional oxygen delivery. This provides advantages to the patient in allowing them to carry smaller tanks that last longer. It also eliminates the need for an E cylinder and cart for all but the most oxygen-dependent patients.
Liquid Oxygen (LOX) vs. Cylinders with Conservers
Until CHAD Therapeutics introduced the first oxygen conserving device in 1986, LOX was considered the standard for ambulatory oxygen. Cooled to a liquid state for storage then rewarmed to gas upon use, liquid oxygen takes up less space than its equivalent in compressed gas, making it a favorable choice for a portable oxygen system. However, LOX has its significant drawbacks as well. Its constant evaporation, even when not in use, makes it impractical and costly for long-term storage and travel. Portables must be refilled frequently from a stationary reservoir. If this procedure is not done correctly, it can result in oxygen waste, spills, or worse, yet, burns to the patients.
At the same time, compressed gas cylinders have evolved from a 20 lb. steel tank on a wheel cart to ultra-lightweight aluminum cylinders that can be as small as 5" high and weigh as little as 1.5 lbs. Combined with a highly efficient conserver, today's compressed gas cylinders can be part of a small, lightweight ambulatory system with none of LOX's drawbacks. They can be stored with no oxygen loss, and extra cylinders can be taken along for weekend or long-term travel, making them a favorable alternative to liquid oxygen.
What are the types of conservers available?
Electronic vs. Pneumatic
Both electronic and pneumatic conservers deliver oxygen on inhalation only; however, their methods in doing so are quite different. Electronic conservers operate on a battery and use electronic circuitry to measure a dose of oxygen that is "pulsed" to the patient at the beginning of inhalation. Pneumatic devices do not require batteries and are strictly mechanical. Most deliver oxygen through the entire inhalation cycle. CHAD's electronic conservers provide a 5:1 savings ratio, while most pneumatics average about 2:1. What does a 5:1 savings vs. a 2:1 savings mean? It means that your cylinders will last five times longer than continuous flow when utilizing a CHAD electronic conserver, as compared to only twice as long as with a pneumatic conserver.
Pulse vs. Demand
You may hear conserving devices described as "pulse" or "demand." All electronic conservers fall into the pulse category; that is, they deliver a measured pulse of oxygen at the beginning of inspiration. Most pneumatic conservers are not true demand systems but hybrids, providing a pulse at the beginning of inspiration followed by a declining continuous flow through the rest of the inspiratory cycle. The continuous flow delivery of the hybrid conservers is simply a design characteristic of some pneumatic devices and does not contribute significantly to blood oxygen levels. By contrast, the CYPRESS OXYPneumatic conserver closely mimics the operation of an electronic conserver by delivering fixed pulse volumes without a continuous flow.
Stand-Alone vs. All-in-One
Some electronic conservers are stand-alone type units (signifying they do not have built-in regulators) and require the use of supply tubing to connect to the regulator on top of the cylinder. All-in-one units possess integrated regulators, thereby attaching like a regulator to the top of a post valve cylinder. Stand-alone conservers offer the versatility of using different regulators and cylinder styles. However, all-in-one conservers are easy to use and allow oxygen to be delivered with the simple turn of a dial or press of a button.
Minute Volume vs. Uniform Pulse
New to the market are pneumatic conservers that control minute volume delivery rather than uniform pulse delivery. Essentially, a "minute volume" conserver restricts the amount of oxygen delivered per minute and holds it within a chamber from which oxygen pulses are delivered. This delivery is said to mimic continuous flow, which has a static volume per minute as well. However, the drawback to this kind of conserver when compared to a standard "pulse" delivery is that as a patient's breath rate increases (indicating increased oxygen need) the volume of each pulse decreases. Therefore, at 40bpm a standard "pulse" conserver delivers twice as much per minute as at 20bpm, whereas a "minute volume" conserver delivers the same amount of oxygen per minute, but half as much per pulse.
We have put together the following as a GUIDE ONLY. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and it is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own physician with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition or use of your equipment. Please read the entire list, most are just common sense but they are designed to help make traveling with Oxygen and using it at home safer and easier.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call: 1-800-723-8110
Oxygen Safety-Home / Travel
Oxygen is an accelerant, and anything that sparks or catches fire will burn faster when oxygen is present.
Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in the same room with you. No smoking signs should be placed on the front door of your home. If you are using an oxygen tank and traveling in the car, do not allow others to smoke in the car.
A backup supply of oxygen is a MUST in case of power outages, problems with your equipment, traveling with or your equipment is lost or damaged.
When traveling by car, train or boat, keep a FULL cylinder with you. A backup supply should be available to last you about 12-24 hours at your liter flow.
If you are using a concentrator that uses a battery source, make sure you have enough battery time to last the entire trip, allowing for any delays. Make sure the batteries are fully charged and in good working order.
Always carry a copy of your prescription for your Oxygen with you. Make sure it is current, less then 12 months old.
Carry a supply of Cannula's designed to work with your equipment. We strongly suggest you replace your Cannula weekly, so have enough to last twice the trip time.
Bring with you your equipments owner's manual and dealers phone number.
If traveling by air, check with the airline in advance for any restrictions or limitations they may have. Airlines do not allow FULL Oxygen cylinders to be used or carried on the aircraft. Bring with you any documents you have including your prescription to assist you and check in early.
If traveling outside the United States make arrangements with your travel agent to have a supply of Oxygen at your destination in case of an emergency.
Do not use electric razors, hair dryers, or other electrical equipment when your oxygen is on. The equipment may spark and mix with the oxygen to cause a fire.
Stay at least 10 feet away from gas stoves, candles, and fireplaces when your oxygen is on.
Do not use flammable products, such as aerosol sprays, rubbing alcohol, paint thinners, and other oil-based lubricants near oxygen.
Do not use petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline® to moisten your lips or nose when using oxygen. If your lips or nose are dry, use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y jelly or add a humidifier bottle or check with your doctor.
Do not change the Oxygen liter flow without talking to your doctor FIRST.
Do not place the tubing (extension hose) under furniture, bed covers, carpets, clothing or other items that could kink the tubing and prevent the oxygen from flowing through the tubing and cause an alarm. We strongly suggest not to exceed 50 feet of hose (see your owner's manual for there specifications). Remind yourself, family, and friends of the placement of the extension hose to prevent tripping and falls. If possible use a hose that lays flat and use a swivel to prevent twisting.
Why would you need to use oxygen at home?
If you have chronic lung disease, your health care provider may prescribe oxygen. Examples of chronic lung diseases are asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, and heart failure.
Oxygen therapy can help you:
Breathe better.
Sleep better.
Feel better.
Be more alert.
Have more stamina.
Lead a more normal life.
Oxygen at very high levels over a long time can be dangerous, which is why you need a prescription from your health care provider. The prescription will spell out how much oxygen you need per minute (flow rate) and when you need to use oxygen. Some people need oxygen therapy only when they exercise or while they sleep. Others need to use oxygen around the clock. Your health care provider will measure the level of oxygen in your blood to see how much oxygen you need.
How can you get oxygen?
There are 3 ways to get oxygen at home:
*Tanks of Compressed Gas. Oxygen gas is stored under pressure in large, heavy tanks or small, portable tanks. The large tanks are kept at home, while the small tanks can be carried with you.
*Tanks of Liquid Oxygen. Oxygen is stored in these tanks as a very cold liquid. The liquid changes to a gas when it is released from the tank.
*Oxygen Concentrator. This is an electric device that separates the oxygen out of the air and concentrates it. It is not as costly as liquid oxygen, but you must have a tank of oxygen as a backup in case of a power failure.
You breathe oxygen from the tank or concentrator in 1 of 3 ways:
A nasal cannula is soft, plastic tubing that rests on your ears. Two thin prongs fit just inside your nostrils.
A nasal mask that fits over your nose and mouth may work best if you need a high flow of oxygen.
Transtracheal oxygen therapy requires the insertion of a small flexible catheter in your trachea (windpipe). The transtracheal catheter is held in place by a necklace. A humidifier is usually needed with transtracheal oxygen.
What is an Oxygen Concentrator?
Oxygen concentrators are stationary, electrical units that absorb nitrogen from ordinary room air and provide a continuous flow of oxygen. These systems are less expensive than liquid oxygen and do not need to be refilled. Typically, they are the most cost-effective source of oxygen therapy. Approximately 80% of Medicare home oxygen patients use oxygen concentrators in the home; however, concentrators are not an ambulatory source of oxygen.
When ambulation is required, most patients rely on lightweight gaseous portable cylinders paired with a conserving device. Some patients are provided only with a large, heavy, non-ambulatory E cylinder that is pulled around with a cart. Unlike liquid oxygen, compressed gas cylinders do not evaporate. This allows the patient to take along extra cylinders for extended outings, which is the key feature and benefit to compressed gas systems. Eventually, the cylinders must be refilled or replaced by the homecare providers when the patient depletes the oxygen supply
What special precautions do I need to take?
Pure oxygen is a fire hazard. Keep a fire extinguisher close by, and let your fire department know that you have oxygen in your home. Oxygen makes any fire burn faster and hotter. Keep flammable items away from the oxygen supply, such as:
alcohol
aerosol sprays
cleaning fluid, paint thinner, or other solvents
perfumes
petroleum products such as gasoline or oil.
Keep oxygen at least 5 feet away from sources of flames, sparks, or high heat. Examples include:
cigarettes
gas stoves and heaters
candles
Lit fireplaces.
Never smoke while you are using oxygen. Warn visitors not to smoke near you when you are using oxygen.
The highest safe temperature for the oxygen tank and accessories is 125°F (52°C).
Take precautions to prevent leaks from tanks of oxygen. If you need oxygen at home, a technician will help you set up your system. Always follow instructions for attaching the regulator. The tanks should be secured so that they do not fall over. Carefully seal them whenever they are not in use. The company that supplies your home oxygen will assist you with a setup and delivery schedule for bringing replacement tanks to your home.
If you use a concentrator, tell your electric company so you will be given priority for repairs if there is a power failure. Clean the air filter on the concentrator at least once a week.
What else do I need to know if I am using oxygen at home?
Wash cannulas or masks once or twice a week. Use liquid soap and rinse thoroughly. Change to a new cannula or mask every 2 to 4 weeks.
If you are using a transtracheal catheter, check with your health care provider to learn how to clean your catheter and humidifier bottle.
Oxygen therapy dries the inside of your nose and mouth. Use water-based lubricants such as KY Jelly on your lips or in your nose. Don't use an oil-based product, such as petroleum jelly.
Make sure you have good dental and gum care.
To keep your cheeks or the skin behind your ears from becoming irritated, tuck some gauze under the tubing.
Do not drink alcohol. It may slow your breathing rate. It may also cause you to forget the rules for being safe with oxygen.
Make sure your health care provider knows all the medicines and supplements you are taking.
Do not change the flow of oxygen without your health care provider's approval. Too much oxygen does not help. It can cause you to breathe too slowly, which allows too much carbon dioxide to build up in your blood. Too little oxygen can worsen shortness of breath and be harmful. Talk with your provider if you think your oxygen level needs to be adjusted.
You can travel with oxygen, but will need a special small tank. Seventh Street Medical Supply offer many options. Call us if:
You have a lot of headaches.
You feel more nervous than usual.
Your lips or fingernails are blue.
You have unusual drowsiness or confusion.
Your breathing is slow, shallow, difficult, or irregular.
Call your health care provider or your oxygen supplier if you have any questions about oxygen safety.
T H E T R U T H A B O U T O X Y G E N C O N S E R V E R S
Since all oxygen conservers are not the same, is your head spinning trying to figure them all out? These days it can be difficult to distinguish among the dozens of oxygen conserving devices on the market. All boast a different set of claims regarding their clinical efficacy, economic benefits, and easy of use. So how do you decide which is the right conserver for you. Here's some information to help you with your decision.
What is a conserving device?
An oxygen conserver is a device that delivers oxygen to the patient only on inhalation rather than continuous flow, as through conventional oxygen delivery. This provides advantages to the patient in allowing them to carry smaller tanks that last longer. It also eliminates the need for an E cylinder and cart for all but the most oxygen-dependent patients.
Liquid Oxygen (LOX) vs. Cylinders with Conservers
Until CHAD Therapeutics introduced the first oxygen conserving device in 1986, LOX was considered the standard for ambulatory oxygen. Cooled to a liquid state for storage then rewarmed to gas upon use, liquid oxygen takes up less space than its equivalent in compressed gas, making it a favorable choice for a portable oxygen system. However, LOX has its significant drawbacks as well. Its constant evaporation, even when not in use, makes it impractical and costly for long-term storage and travel. Portables must be refilled frequently from a stationary reservoir. If this procedure is not done correctly, it can result in oxygen waste, spills, or worse, yet, burns to the patients.
At the same time, compressed gas cylinders have evolved from a 20 lb. steel tank on a wheel cart to ultra-lightweight aluminum cylinders that can be as small as 5" high and weigh as little as 1.5 lbs. Combined with a highly efficient conserver, today's compressed gas cylinders can be part of a small, lightweight ambulatory system with none of LOX's drawbacks. They can be stored with no oxygen loss, and extra cylinders can be taken along for weekend or long-term travel, making them a favorable alternative to liquid oxygen.
What are the types of conservers available?
Electronic vs. Pneumatic
Both electronic and pneumatic conservers deliver oxygen on inhalation only; however, their methods in doing so are quite different. Electronic conservers operate on a battery and use electronic circuitry to measure a dose of oxygen that is "pulsed" to the patient at the beginning of inhalation. Pneumatic devices do not require batteries and are strictly mechanical. Most deliver oxygen through the entire inhalation cycle. CHAD's electronic conservers provide a 5:1 savings ratio, while most pneumatics average about 2:1. What does a 5:1 savings vs. a 2:1 savings mean? It means that your cylinders will last five times longer than continuous flow when utilizing a CHAD electronic conserver, as compared to only twice as long as with a pneumatic conserver.
Pulse vs. Demand
You may hear conserving devices described as "pulse" or "demand." All electronic conservers fall into the pulse category; that is, they deliver a measured pulse of oxygen at the beginning of inspiration. Most pneumatic conservers are not true demand systems but hybrids, providing a pulse at the beginning of inspiration followed by a declining continuous flow through the rest of the inspiratory cycle. The continuous flow delivery of the hybrid conservers is simply a design characteristic of some pneumatic devices and does not contribute significantly to blood oxygen levels. By contrast, the CYPRESS OXYPneumatic conserver closely mimics the operation of an electronic conserver by delivering fixed pulse volumes without a continuous flow.
Stand-Alone vs. All-in-One
Some electronic conservers are stand-alone type units (signifying they do not have built-in regulators) and require the use of supply tubing to connect to the regulator on top of the cylinder. All-in-one units possess integrated regulators, thereby attaching like a regulator to the top of a post valve cylinder. Stand-alone conservers offer the versatility of using different regulators and cylinder styles. However, all-in-one conservers are easy to use and allow oxygen to be delivered with the simple turn of a dial or press of a button.
Minute Volume vs. Uniform Pulse
New to the market are pneumatic conservers that control minute volume delivery rather than uniform pulse delivery. Essentially, a "minute volume" conserver restricts the amount of oxygen delivered per minute and holds it within a chamber from which oxygen pulses are delivered. This delivery is said to mimic continuous flow, which has a static volume per minute as well. However, the drawback to this kind of conserver when compared to a standard "pulse" delivery is that as a patient's breath rate increases (indicating increased oxygen need) the volume of each pulse decreases. Therefore, at 40bpm a standard "pulse" conserver delivers twice as much per minute as at 20bpm, whereas a "minute volume" conserver delivers the same amount of oxygen per minute, but half as much per pulse.
We have put together the following as a GUIDE ONLY. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and it is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own physician with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition or use of your equipment. Please read the entire list, most are just common sense but they are designed to help make traveling with Oxygen and using it at home safer and easier.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call: 1-800-723-8110
Oxygen Safety-Home / Travel
Oxygen is an accelerant, and anything that sparks or catches fire will burn faster when oxygen is present.
Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in the same room with you. No smoking signs should be placed on the front door of your home. If you are using an oxygen tank and traveling in the car, do not allow others to smoke in the car.
A backup supply of oxygen is a MUST in case of power outages, problems with your equipment, traveling with or your equipment is lost or damaged.
When traveling by car, train or boat, keep a FULL cylinder with you. A backup supply should be available to last you about 12-24 hours at your liter flow.
If you are using a concentrator that uses a battery source, make sure you have enough battery time to last the entire trip, allowing for any delays. Make sure the batteries are fully charged and in good working order.
Always carry a copy of your prescription for your Oxygen with you. Make sure it is current, less then 12 months old.
Carry a supply of Cannula's designed to work with your equipment. We strongly suggest you replace your Cannula weekly, so have enough to last twice the trip time.
Bring with you your equipments owner's manual and dealers phone number.
If traveling by air, check with the airline in advance for any restrictions or limitations they may have. Airlines do not allow FULL Oxygen cylinders to be used or carried on the aircraft. Bring with you any documents you have including your prescription to assist you and check in early.
If traveling outside the United States make arrangements with your travel agent to have a supply of Oxygen at your destination in case of an emergency.
Do not use electric razors, hair dryers, or other electrical equipment when your oxygen is on. The equipment may spark and mix with the oxygen to cause a fire.
Stay at least 10 feet away from gas stoves, candles, and fireplaces when your oxygen is on.
Do not use flammable products, such as aerosol sprays, rubbing alcohol, paint thinners, and other oil-based lubricants near oxygen.
Do not use petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline® to moisten your lips or nose when using oxygen. If your lips or nose are dry, use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y jelly or add a humidifier bottle or check with your doctor.
Do not change the Oxygen liter flow without talking to your doctor FIRST.
Do not place the tubing (extension hose) under furniture, bed covers, carpets, clothing or other items that could kink the tubing and prevent the oxygen from flowing through the tubing and cause an alarm. We strongly suggest not to exceed 50 feet of hose (see your owner's manual for there specifications). Remind yourself, family, and friends of the placement of the extension hose to prevent tripping and falls. If possible use a hose that lays flat and use a swivel to prevent twisting.