Managing Home Oxygen Therapy: Safety and Implementation
If your home oxygen results indicate you need oxygen, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately to establish a comprehensive home oxygen therapy plan that addresses safety, equipment needs, and proper usage to ensure optimal treatment outcomes. 1
Initial Steps After Receiving Home Oxygen Results
- Contact your healthcare provider to discuss the results and obtain a proper prescription for home oxygen therapy 1
- Arrange for a formal assessment by a Home Oxygen Assessment service to determine the appropriate type of oxygen equipment and flow rates needed 1
- Complete the necessary Home Oxygen Order Forms (HOOF) with your healthcare provider to initiate the equipment delivery process 1
- Schedule education sessions with oxygen therapy specialists to learn about proper equipment use, safety precautions, and maintenance 1
Understanding Your Oxygen Equipment
- Oxygen concentrators are recommended for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) at flow rates of 4 L/min or less 1, 2
- Nasal cannulae should be considered as the first choice of delivery device for most patients requiring home oxygen therapy 1, 2
- Venturi masks may be recommended for patients with concerns about hypercapnic respiratory failure or those with cognitive issues 1, 2
- Portable oxygen options (cylinders or portable concentrators) should be considered for mobile patients to increase daily oxygen use and activity levels 1, 2
Critical Safety Precautions
- Smoking cessation is absolutely essential - written education about the dangers of smoking while using oxygen must be reviewed and acknowledged 1, 3
- Keep oxygen equipment at least 3 meters away from open flames and 1.5 meters from electrical appliances, flammable materials, paints, oils, or grease 1
- Do not use oil-based emollients or petroleum jelly with oxygen therapy as they can support combustion - only use water-based products 1
- Ensure working smoke detectors are installed in your home and inform your local fire service about your home oxygen use 1
Preventing Common Hazards
- Check oxygen tubing daily to prevent kinks, entrapment under furniture, or creating trip hazards 1
- Secure oxygen cylinders properly when transporting in vehicles (using seat belts or in the foot-well/boot) 1, 2
- Keep backup oxygen cylinders available in case of power failure to concentrators, but only use them when necessary 1
- Never adjust flow rates without consulting your healthcare provider as this can lead to worsening respiratory failure 1
Ongoing Monitoring and Follow-up
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments for reassessment of your oxygen needs 1, 2
- A follow-up assessment should be performed approximately 3 months after starting LTOT to ensure the therapy remains necessary and effective 2, 4
- Monitor your oxygen saturation levels as directed by your healthcare provider to ensure they remain within your prescribed target range 4, 5
- Report any problems with equipment or changes in your condition to your healthcare provider immediately 1
Adherence to Prescribed Therapy
- Use oxygen for the prescribed number of hours daily (typically 15+ hours for LTOT) to gain maximum clinical benefit 1
- Understand that non-compliance with prescribed oxygen therapy may lead to removal of the equipment 1
- Keep contact information for your oxygen supplier readily available to arrange for replacement cylinders or equipment maintenance 1
- Inform all healthcare providers involved in your care about your home oxygen therapy 1
Special Considerations
- If you have cognitive, visual, or coordination impairments, you may need assistance with oxygen equipment and should be maintained on a single flow rate 2, 5
- Consider using wheeled devices or backpacks for portable oxygen if you are active outside the home 1, 2
- Patients receiving oxygen via a tracheostomy should receive humidified oxygen 1, 2
- Ensure all household members and visitors understand the safety precautions associated with home oxygen therapy 1