Liquid Oxygen
PURPOSE: Oxygen is 21% of the air we breathe. When our lungs are damaged, obstructed, or restricted, they cannot oxygenate the blood. Each cell in our bodies must have oxygen to live. Raising the oxygen percentage allows more oxygen to pass into the blood. Your physician must order oxygen. Oxygen is not flammable but it does provide fuel for fires.
PRESCRIPTION: Your physician has written a prescription for oxygen and this value should never be deviated from without first consulting him/her. Your settings are prescribed as follows:
__LPM at rest __LPM during activity __LPM while sleeping __Hours per day
DELIVERY MODES: There are two basic types of liquid systems: stationary and portable. Stationary units can deliver your home oxygen and fill your portable unit. Portable units are lightweight units with carrying straps or carts that allow the user to travel within the limits of the oxygen supply. Each portable unit has a maximum time limit it will provide oxygen and this is dependent upon your flowrate and breathing rate. Contact your medical equipment supplier if you have any questions about your unit’s time limits. The user can fill the portable unit, but your medical equipment provider’s personnel fill the stationary unit.
USE: Once the oxygen delivery method is decided upon, an appliance must be used to deliver it to the patient. The most common are nasal cannulas and oxygen masks. Nasal cannulas are prongs that are inserted into the nose and are suited for most needs. Nasal cannulas have curved prongs and the curved side should be down. These cannulas should be changed every two weeks or when they are soiled. Cannulas work exactly the same whether the user is a mouth breather or a nasal breather. When reading your flowmeter, you must read the middle of the float not the top.
Oxygen masks cover the entire nose and mouth areas and are intended for higher flowrates and oxygen percentages. A good seal on the face is needed to deliver accurate oxygen amounts. The holes on the side of the mask should never be obstructed. These ports allow your exhaled air to vent out of the mask. The minimum flowrate on an oxygen mask is 5 LPM.
HUMIDIFIERS: Oxygen that is delivered has no moisture in it. Liquid oxygen is the driest. Liquid oxygen stationary units should always have a humidifier regardless of the flowrate.
Humidifiers are disposable devices that bubble the oxygen through a column of water. This water attaches itself to the oxygen molecules. These devices should be filled with distilled water only, do not use tap water! This distilled water can be purchased inexpensively through your local drug store. When filling your humidifier, always empty out old water before adding new water. Change your humidifier at least weekly.
EMERGENCIES: Your medical equipment provider understands that oxygen services should never be interrupted. They maintain a technician on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If your equipment fails or your supplies are diminished, call the main store number and leave an urgent message. You should always maintain an adequate supply of oxygen on hand in case of natural disaster or other emergency. Your medical equipment provider can assist you in setting your safety limit.