What is domestic oxygen therapy?
Domestic oxygen therapy is the provision and administration of additional oxygen for the patient in his home. It is used to treat respiratory conditions that reduce the body's ability to absorb the oxygen of the room for tissue oxygenation such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer or congestive heart failure. Supplementary oxygen therapy can also be used when the body requires more than normal oxygen for cell metabolism, for example during some cancer or during recovery from burns. Oxygen therapy may be continuous or used only in sleep or during activity, depending on the patient's needs.
This form of treatment is considered to be a "medicine" and in some countries require a prescription. A prescription or recommendation for domestic oxygen therapy is based on low blood saturation speeds measured by a pulse oximeter or an arterial blood gas test (ABG). MeasurementThe 'blood oxygen values during sleep, at rest and during activity determines whether oxygen therapy should be continuous or only during special times. Oxygen therapy is measured in liters per minute (LPM) and usually ranges from 2 lpm to 6 lpm at home.
There are three common forms in which domestic oxygen therapy is provided: concentrators, compressed gas and liquid oxygen. Oxygen concentrators are a large, usually stationary device that uses air in the room to remove nitrogen gas to provide oxygen. These machines need electricity for operation and require a backup system in the event of an electric outage. Metal gas is provided in metal cylinders, which are filled with an oxygen benefit company when it is empty. Liquid oxygen systems use a small portable container to hold liquid oxygen, which turns into gas when released.
Most PatieNTs will require at least two formysystems of home oxygen treatment, which have one as a backup system in the event of an electric power failure. It is also recommended for patients to register for priority services in a company that provides electricity if they use a concentrator. Active patients sometimes use all three types of therapy, depending on whether they are at home, travel or public. During transport and liquid oxygen in the handbag system, they often use a concentrator at home, walking or shopping in public.
Domestic oxygen therapy will require a patient, family and visitors to follow some general safety instructions. Appliances that can spark should not be used with oxygen systems and the gas stove is not compatible with the use of domestic oxygen. Signs of "without smoking" should be placed on the front door and in the patient's room. Local fire brigade should be informed that domestic oxygen therapy is provided at the address so thatShe could check to ensure that all smokes were detected in operation.