Getting Started on Home Oxygen
If you require home oxygen, your healthcare professional will prescribe the home oxygen therapy that suits your needs. To do this they will complete a Home Oxygen Order Form (HOOF) and send it to Air Liquide Healthcare, who will contact you to arrange delivery and training
Living with oxygen
The attached video shows the benefits for people living their lives with oxygen therapy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97U5JVPHYQI&feature=youtu.be
Home oxygen assessment
An assessment will be carried out to determine if you require home oxygen. The assessment may include:
A blood test - This is very accurate and measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood
Pulse oximetry - This is a simple and pain free test using a device on your finger to estimate how much oxygen is in your blood
You may also be asked to breathe oxygen for at least 30 minutes through a nasal cannula (small tubes placed under your nose) after which a second blood sample will be taken and analysed.
Some patients may also be assessed whilst walking to measure how far they can walk and how much oxygen they may require.
Understanding your home oxygen prescription
If you require home oxygen, your healthcare professional will prescribe the home oxygen therapy that suits your needs. To do this they will complete a Home Oxygen Order Form (HOOF) and send it to your home oxygen supplier, who will contact you to arrange delivery and training.
Your oxygen therapy prescription has three main parts:
Flow rate (LPM):
This is the amount of extra oxygen your body needs. Your healthcare professional may want your flow rate to remain constant, or to change based on your different activities such as when you’re sleeping or being active. Your flow rate is expressed in litres per minute (LPM)
Hours per day (HPD):
This is the number of hours per day the oxygen therapy should be used. Typically, 16 - 24 hours of use per day is required to be effective for COPD.
There are different types of oxygen equipment, including:
- Static oxygen concentrators
- Portable oxygen concentrators
- Transportable oxygen concentrators
- Liquid oxygen
- Homefill
- Oxygen cylinders
Please see - Home Oxygen Equipment
Your healthcare professional will select the most effective equipment for your condition and lifestyle.
Important information to remember about your home oxygen prescription:
NEVER adjust the amount of oxygen you use unless it is under the strict instruction of your healthcare professional
ALWAYS follow the advice of your healthcare professional
NEVER use more or less oxygen than prescribed by your healthcare professional
ALWAYS follow the important safety advice