Oxygen is delivered to a patient in what is usually called "continuous flow." This means that whether or not the patient is inhaling or exhaling, the flow of oxygen is "continuously" entering the body. With a "conserver", a patient will only get a flow of oxygen when they inhale, but now when they exhale. For patients who want to remain active outside the home, this is the best way to go. HOWEVER . . . a patient has to be tested via "pulse oximeter" to determine if the patients SAT remains above 90% while on the conserver. This order needs to be written by the patient's doctor. Conservers are: lightweight and last much longer than standard continuous flow oxygen cylinders. The "conserving device" is not the cylinder itself, but the "regulator" that attaches to the top of the cylinder. The regulator controls the flow and amount of oxygen that comes out of the cylinder.

Delivery Devices: oxygen can be delivered to the patient by either a "nasal cannula" which is a clear tubing with prongs that are inserted in the nostrils, or by "mask", which is a vinyl mask that fits over the patients nose and mouth. Masks can only be used if the patient is on 5 liters/min (LPM or L/M) or higher. Liter flows for patients are determined by the doctor.

Overall, oxygen therapy is extremely safe to use in the home. It has been routinely used for decades in the home care setting with little incident. Call us anytime, day or night, to report problems or ask questions. In homecare we say: "The only silly question is the one you don't ask!" This is what we do for a living, so feel free to call us with any questions or concerns. Our objective is to give the best care to our patients in their home and we respect and value your input to achieve this goal.

Below are tips to keep yourself safe.

* Oxygen is not in itself combustible; however, it will accelerate a flame and make a fire burn hotter.
* Oxygen should not be used within 5 feet of an open flame.
* (Examples: candles, fireplace, wood burning stove, gas stove, cigarettes, lighters, etc.)
* Patients should never smoke while on oxygen. If a patient must smoke, they need to remove the oxygen source from their face and be without oxygen for at least 30 minutes before lighting up. Even though the oxygen may be off the face or turned off, the body and clothing can remain "oxygen rich" for up to 30 minutes!
* Oxygen signage should be posted on entry and exit doors of the oxygen patient's home. This is to alert anyone who enters that there is oxygen being used in the home, but more importantly, it is to alert the fire deptartment, in the event of a fire, that oxygen is in use.
* Oxygen cylinders should be stored lying on their sides in a secure place (under a bed, etc.) or in a cart that cannot easily fall over. You must be careful when handling oxygen cylinders that you do not drop them, especially on their "stem." The gas in these cylinders is under pressure and can become projectiles if they are dropped and broken!
* Liquid oxygen is very, very cold (-297 degrees Fahrenheit!!), as stated above, do not let liquid oxygen come into contact with bare skin, or you risk frost burn. Liquid oxygen portables (when filled) need to be kept in an upright position or they will leak and make a loud noise. Liquid portables should only be filled before the patient is going out. Do not fill the portable the night before as it will dissipate by morning. In hot, humid weather, liquid oxygen has a tendency to form condensation and sometimes the portable will freeze to the source. To remedy this, simply pour water onto the part that is frozen together to defrost or call Health Complex for advice.