How to Choose the Right Oxygen Therapy Supplies for Home Use

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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How to Choose the Right Oxygen Therapy Supplies for Home Use

You’ve probably heard it before:

Buying respiratory therapy supplies can feel daunting.

After all, there are dozens of supply types, hundreds of individual products and several years’ worth of confusing medical terms to absorb. If you’re one of the over 1.5 million US adults relying on supplemental oxygen at home, it can feel overwhelming. But also kind of critical. Using oxygen therapy correctly has a big impact on health, comfort and safety.

Don’t worry. Help is here.

When you know what you need to know, picking the right oxygen therapy equipment for home use is pretty simple. It just takes knowing the different supply options, understanding which accessories matter and linking it all back to your prescribed treatment plan.

Here’s what’s covered:

1. Why Home Oxygen Therapy Supplies Matter
2. Your Supply Options: Oxygen Delivery Systems
3. Oxygen Accessories and Components Everyone Needs
4. How to Choose the Right Home Oxygen Setup
5. Safety Tips for Home Oxygen Equipment

Why Home Oxygen Therapy Supplies Matter

Incorrect oxygen therapy can cause problems.

Low flow = low blood oxygen levels. The wrong mask/cannula style means discomfort. Having high quality oxygen bottle parts and other components is what prevents safety hazards in your home.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure you have the right equipment and accessories to begin with.

Keep in mind…

Every oxygen patient is different. Someone who needs supplemental oxygen 24/7 will have different supply needs than someone who only needs it intermittently or while sleeping. Oxygen therapy isn’t a ‘one-size fits all’ type of deal.

The medical condition, prescribed flow rate and lifestyle all factor into getting the right equipment for home use. Knowing the difference between each supply type and recommended use can save you money and frustration.

Your Supply Options: Oxygen Delivery Systems

Having a general understanding of each oxygen delivery system will make picking the other supplies that much easier. There are three main types of oxygen you’ll likely encounter.

Oxygen Concentrators

As you may have guessed by the name, concentrators concentrate oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere to provide a supply of oxygen.

There are two types of concentrators.

Stationary units plug into the wall and provide a continuous flow of oxygen. Ideal for overnight or when-in-home use.

Portable units are battery-powered. This allows you to freely move around and even take oxygen with you on travel. Portable oxygen concentrators typically use pulse dose technology. Which only provides oxygen when you inhale.

Concentrators are a popular choice because they don’t use disposable supplies that need replacing. You only need to keep them plugged into power (or charged).

Compressed Oxygen Tanks

Ah, the good old oxygen tank. You may recognise these as the traditional metal cylinders filled with oxygen gas. They vary in size from portable small tanks to larger stationary home units.

Pros: Tanks are reliable and don’t require electricity.

Cons: They do eventually run out and need replacing or refilling.

Liquid Oxygen Systems

Liquid oxygen is…you guessed it. Stored as liquid oxygen. At very cold temperatures.

The liquid oxygen evaporates as a gas to breathe. Liquid oxygen holds more oxygen than compressed tanks in a smaller space. Which makes them ideal for higher volume oxygen needs.

Oxygen Accessories and Components Everyone Needs

Ok. Now that you know the different supply types, here are some accessories and components every oxygen patient needs.

Nasal cannulas are simply tubes that go into your nostrils to deliver oxygen. They’re lightweight, comfortable and allow patients to eat, talk and go about normal activities while wearing them. Look for ones with soft tips to reduce nasal irritation.

Oxygen masks are another delivery method. Masks cover both the nose and mouth and are generally prescribed for higher oxygen needs. Masks come in many sizes. So make sure yours fits properly.

Regulators are pretty straight-forward. This controls how many liters per minute you’re receiving.

Flow meters work in conjunction with regulators to deliver the prescribed flow rate your doctor recommends.

Humidifier bottles attach directly to the oxygen source and add moisture to the dry oxygen before it reaches you. Dry nasal passages and throats are one of the most common complaints with oxygen users. So humidifiers can help.

Tubing and other connectors join the oxygen source to the cannula/mask you’re using.

Look for comfort and length when choosing tubing. Standard lengths range anywhere from 2 metres to 15 metres.

How to Choose the Right Setup

When it comes down to picking your respiratory therapy supplies, it comes down to these factors:

Start with your prescription. Doctors and respiratory specialists will have you fill an exact number of liters of oxygen per minute. You’ll also have a schedule for how long per day you require oxygen. Use this prescription as a starting point for everything you need. Don’t guess.

Think about your activity level. If you’re going to be at home the majority of the time, a stationary oxygen concentrator may work well on its own. However, if you like to get out of the house, travel or stay active. You’ll benefit from having a portable option too.

Comfort. Oxygen therapy is a part of many patients’ daily routine. They’ll be wearing accessories for hours each day. Make sure you invest in comfort. Look for soft cannulas, properly fitting masks and take tubing length into consideration.

Maintenance and filter replacement. Oxygen equipment isn’t a ‘set it and forget it’ deal. You’ll have filters to clean and replace on top of the normal machinery upkeep. Make sure you can easily keep your oxygen equipment clean.

Safety Tips For Home Oxygen Equipment

As briefly mentioned earlier, oxygen is not flammable. However it can cause other things to ignite faster and burn hotter.

This means safety should always be kept a priority when using oxygen therapy equipment at home. Follow these rules to keep yourself and others safe.

• Oxygen tanks/backup bottles should always be stored at least 3 metres away from flames, stoves and heat sources.
• Do not smoke near oxygen tanks/equipment. This is rule #1 for a reason.
• Store tanks upright and secured to prevent tipping.
• Only use water-based moisturisers and lip balms. Oil-based brands can be highly combustible around oxygen.
• Install smoke detectors in each room you’ll be using oxygen. Make sure they’re working too!

Did you know COPD impacts over 14 million adults in America alone? Home oxygen therapy safety is just as important to the patient as it is for those around them. Follow these tips to keep everyone safe.

Wrapping Things Up

Hopefully this guide has helped you understand the different oxygen therapy supplies for home use.

Let’s review:

1. There are three main types of oxygen supplies. Know the difference between them.
2. Everyone needs certain accessories and components no matter the oxygen delivery system. Pick accessories that suit your comfort.
3. Oxygen equipment should always be matched to your lifestyle. You’ll use it more and feel better.
4. Follow these oxygen safety tips. To keep yourself and others around you safe.

Getting the right oxygen therapy setup for your home can greatly improve your quality of life. Take these tips into consideration when buying your next oxygen supplies.