Instruction manual

Home Oxygen Service
Key Messages
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Your health care provider has prescribed supplemental oxygen for
you, this is called supplemental oxygen therapy; you may hear it
called home oxygen therapy
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Breathing supplemental oxygen increases the amount of oxygen
in your blood, which may reduce shortness of breath and prevent
other health complications
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Supplemental oxygen therapy may allow you to feel better and
lead a more active life even though it may mean some lifestyle
changes
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You may need to use supplemental oxygen for a short while after
an illness, or you may need to use it long-term
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Many systems are available for receiving supplemental oxygen,
the technology involved in medical equipment is changing all the
time; your health care provider works with you to nd the system
that meets your needs; the most important consideration is that
you have a system that delivers the amount of oxygen you need
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Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments; this is important
in helping you and your health care provider monitor your progress
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You are the most important member of your health care team;
good management of your health depends on your active
participation
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Contact your health care provider if your medical symptoms or
condition changes or if you have questions or concerns; if you
have concerns about your equipment, contact your medical
equipment supplier
General information
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Your health care provider has prescribed supplemental oxygen
therapy; breathing supplemental oxygen increases the amount
of oxygen in your blood, even though using supplemental oxygen
may mean a change in your lifestyle, it may allow you to feel
better and lead a more active life; this may help reduce shortness
of breath and prevent other health complications
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Oxygen is a tasteless, colorless, odorless gas that makes up
about 21 percent of the air you breathe; inhaled through the nose
or mouth, oxygen eventually reaches the air sacs in the lungs
(alveoli), it then enters the bloodstream and is carried to all parts
of your body
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If you have a low level of oxygen in your blood (hypoxemia), you
may have breathing troubles, exercising difculties, headaches,
fatigue, memory loss, depression or confusion; some people have
no symptoms, but may still need supplemental oxygen
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Your prescription for supplemental oxygen will indicate
A rate of oxygen ow (ow rate) listed as liters per minute (LPM).
The prescribed ow rate may vary for different activities (for
example, during sleep, at rest or with exercise)
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How long and when to use the supplemental oxygen each day
(for example, with exercise, during sleep, or a specic number of
hours)
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Used as prescribed, oxygen is not addictive and is generally not
associated with any unpleasant side effects; not using oxygen as
prescribed can be harmful
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Depending on your condition, you may need oxygen all the time or
only when you exercise or sleep
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Keep a copy of your prescription for reference; always keep a copy
with you when traveling
When Using Oxygen
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Never smoke or allow the oxygen to be within 10 feet of any open
ames
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This could include: candles, gas range/oven, furnace etc.
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Do not allow anyone to smoke in the home where the oxygen is
used
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Oxygen is not ammable, but is combustible
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Change nasal cannula every 1–2 weeks, this also applies for
tracheostomy masks
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If you have a dry nose, use water-based products
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Do not use oil/petroleum based products anywhere near the
oxygen
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Examples of what to use: KY Jelly, saline spray
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Never change your prescribed ow rate without rst checking with
your doctor
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Do not allow untrained persons or children to adjust oxygen
equipment
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Inform your local emergency responders (such as the police and
re department) that you use oxygen; this can help them better
help you in an emergency
Oxygen Concentrator
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Always keep the concentrator in a ventilated area with at least 12
inches of clearance
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Once a week the lter/intake of the concentrator should be
cleaned or vacuumed
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Check the concentrator daily to make sure the equipment is
working properly
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Oxygen tubing should never be longer than 50 feet
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Notify your electric company that oxygen equipment is being
used in your home; this prevents the company from discontinuing
service during peak use times; also, in the event of a power
failure, your home will be on a priority list to get service back
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