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Patient Education Tool

use of supplemental 1. No- signs should be home at all times and familiarize The in the home remains the most posted on the front door so that yourself with its proper usage. common and popular respiratory home care everyone who enters knows 5. Inspect the home or area for modality. According to the National Home oxygen is in use. Also post signs these safety tips before placing 1 Oxygen Patients Association, more than 1 in the room in which the oxygen is oxygen in the area. million people use supplementary oxygen being used or is stored. in the US. Because oxygen can be both 6. Do not use extension cords for 2. Relocate or remove flammable your oxygen concentrators. beneficial and detrimental, it is regulated by materials from the area where 7. Do not place the concentrator many agencies and is considered a drug. As oxygen will be used. Flammable electrical cord under a rug or such, the minimal amount of dose required materials include: cotton, wool, furniture. to obtain the appropriate oxygenated polyester fabric, bed clothing, response should be used. It is important to paper materials, plastics, and 8. Stay at least 10 feet away from use the prescribed liter flow as given by the certain or salves, such as gas stoves, candles, lighted physician. . fireplaces, or any other open flame. Supplemental oxygen is ordered to maintain 3. Learn and teach others in the adequate tissue oxygenation with the home that the most common Oxygen Concentrators minimum amount of energy expenditure potential ignition sources are Oxygen concentrators are electrically by the heart and lungs. The objective is to smoking materials, sparks from powered and are widely used as oxygen prevent or correct the abnormal condition in electrical equipment, or static suppliers in the home. Oxygen concentrators which available oxygen to the body’s cells is electrical discharge. are the most cost-efficient means of inadequate to meet the body’s needs. 4. Have a functional smoke detector supplying oxygen to individuals who require Benefits of Supplemental Oxygen and fire extinguisher in the continuous home oxygen at low liter flows. Therapy Advantages & Disadvantages of Available Home Oxygen Systems 1. Decrease the work of Accommodates Easy To Quiet Operation 2. Prevent the abnormal deficiency Activity Operate Combination 1 C > 2 concentrator of oxygen in the arterial blood Adequate Average Average 3. Decrease the excessive work of and standard flow regulator Combination 2 C > 2 concentrator, the heart Above M6 or M9 cylinder with conserving Average Average 4. Decrease abnormal high Average in the pulmonary artery device Combination 3 Combo system: Above Above Safety Tips for Use of 0^ concentrator, conventional Average Average Average Supplemental Oxygen Therapy2,3 stationary and portable Although oxygen is nonflammable it greatly Combination 4 Conventional liquid Above Excellent Excellent accelerates the rate of combustion. Oxygen oxygen stationary and portable Average is colorless, odorless, transparent and is Combination 5 Conventional liquid Above a tasteless gas that occurs in nature. Safe oxygen stationary, portable and Excellent Excellent Average use of oxygen demands that all flammable conserving device materials and potential ignition sources be Combination 6 Personal liquid removed from the area. Excellent Excellent Excellent oxygen system Adapted from: National Lung Health Education Program. www.nlhep.org pg. 1 of 2 An oxygen concentrator running 24 hours Patient Education Tool a day will increase the average monthly electric bill by approximately 5% – 10%. What Should You Know About 1. Backup oxygen cylinders need to Home be available if there is a power failure. delivery systems most commonly used 3. Do not place tubing under rugs 2. Oxygen concentrators produce at home include nasal cannulas, a simple as this may reduce the amount of a lot of heat, so store them in a mask, and the entrainment mask. You should oxygen that you receive. well-ventilated area, and never change cannulas or masks as needed. Also, 4. Secure any loose cords, extra place them in a corner where be sure you request extension tubing for tubing, floor mats, and throw rugs you would cover the intake filter. easy mobilization from room to room. to avoid any trips or falls. 3. The filter must be changed as A demand valve cannula can be used to 5. Notify the electric company that needed. This will help in the conserve oxygen while in transport or you have an oxygen concentrator efficiency and maintenance of travel. This cannula employs a sensor and so they can make your house a the equipment. valve system to eliminate expiratory oxygen priority during a power outage. flow altogether. This device determines the 4. A respiratory therapist (RRT) or 6. Oxygen cylinders must be stored beginning of inspiration and immediately a medical equipment specialist in an upright position and secured opens the valve to deliver a quick pulse of should check the oxygen either to the wall or in its holder. oxygen. Closure occurs during exhalation. concentrator on a monthly basis The demand valve cannula should provide 7. Avoid alcohol or sedatives during and record the hours of use. the greatest savings in oxygen usage. oxygen use as these may slow 5. To make sure the oxygen is your breathing. flowing, place the nasal cannula Humidification Therapy 8. If using oxygen cylinders, keep in a cup of water. If bubbles A humidifier is a device that produces your supplier’s phone number are present, oxygen flow is moisture, which can be used to moisten handy, always order more oxygen occurring. the user’s airway and provide relief from before you run out, and have Oxygen cylinders are also widely used in the the dryness of oxygen use. The general an extra cylinder during storm home care setting. Cylinders come in many goal of humidity therapy is to ensure that seasons, eg, hurricane season. sizes to fit the need of the patient. the addition of water vapor be instilled to 9. Speak with your physician if you oxygen that is being administered to a 1. They must be supplied plan to fly, as your oxygen rate person with normal functioning airways. It may need to be modified. as a backup if an oxygen is important to always use distilled water in concentrator is in use. your humidifier as the mineral content of tap References 2. There is no waste if the cylinder water may occlude the humidifier. 1. National Home Oxygen Patients Association. http:// is not being used. www.homeoxygen.org/. Accessed 01/08/2013. Safety measures should be periodically 2. American Association for Respiratory Care. Home 3. Before using an oxygen cylinder, oxygen therapy, 2008. http://ingen-tech.com/files/ and thoroughly reviewed by a respiratory documents/HomeOxygenTherapy-AARC.pdf. Accessed open the valve to check for therapist or a medical equipment specialist. 01/08/2013. debris in the line. 3. Seattle Fire Department. Information bulletin 2003-5. The therapist or specialist will work with you Home oxygen safety, 2003. http://www.seattle.gov/ 4. Always relieve the in and your family members to ensure safe fire/pubed/brochures/OxygenSafety.pdf. Accessed the oxygen tank by shutting the and efficient use of home oxygen therapy. 01/08/2013. valve and “bleeding” (releasing Always ask questions if you are not sure Additional Resources about any aspect of therapy. the pressure of) the regulator. American Thoracic Society Liquid oxygen systems provide large 2,3 www.thoracic.org quantities of oxygen at low pressures. Additional Safety Tips National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute Portables can be filled from reservoirs for 1. Do not adjust the oxygen flow www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm up to an 8-hour supply at 2 liters per minute. rates on your own. Contact your American Lung Association This makes it valuable for rehabilitation, physician if you feel you are not www.lungusa.org travel, transport, work, and so forth. getting enough oxygen. 2. Never use more than 50 feet Devices Used with Oxygen of tubing as it can dilute the Devices used to inhale oxygen in the home concentration of the oxygen you are classified as “delivery systems.” Oxygen receive.

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