Essential Easy-to-Follow Oxygen Therapy at Home Instructions

For some patients with low levels of oxygen in their blood, inhaling extra oxygen can improve the way they feel and enable them to live longer while feeling more energetic. They can even go places despite using oxygen with a bit of planning beforehand.

Since oxygen is a fire hazard, patients in need of oxygen at their homes and their caregivers have to know the proper methods to handle the equipment. Doing this will ensure the safety of everyone present in the house. This blog covers basic oxygen therapy at home instructions that will enable you to get maximum benefits from your oxygen treatment.

Basic Oxygen Therapy at Home Instructions

Once the patient receives their prescription and source for oxygen therapy, they will need to pay attention to the following oxygen therapy at home instructions:

● Avoid making changes to the oxygen setting unless you have communicated with your doctor first. Otherwise, you may place yourself in danger by increasing or decreasing the oxygen flow rate.

● Make sure you always have an ample supply of oxygen in your home. That means keeping an eye on the tank levels and ordering some in advance when they’re below half.

● Patients who breathe in oxygen using a nasal cannula have to keep the following in mind:

1. Keep the equipment clean by washing the nasal prongs and other parts (as specified) at least once or twice weekly.

2. Protect the skin behind your ears with the help of a bit of cotton or gauze placed between your ear and the tubing. You can opt for wound care at home in case it is sore or cracking.

3. Change the prongs in case you’ve had the flu or a cold and you no longer have the symptoms. Normally, it is good practice to change them every 15-30 days.

4. Maintain the moisture of your nose and lips for comfortable oxygen use with the help of a water-based moisturizer. You can identify them by looking at the label – Water should be the first ingredient listed on it. On the other hand, avoid petroleum-based products as they can block the air holes.

● Don’t consume relaxing substances such as medications (sedatives, sleeping pills, etc.) and alcohol when you are using oxygen. That’s because these substances will lower your breathing rate.

● Contact your doctor immediately in case of the following:
○ Restlessness
○ Confusion
○ Breathlessness
○ Fatigue
○ Having a feeling of getting insufficient oxygen

Maintaining Safety when Patients Use Oxygen at Home

Oxygen speeds up flames and makes them hotter, so you need to ensure safety for you and your family with the help of the following steps:

● Protect oxygen tanks from damage by keeping them upright and not letting them fall over.

● Always keep a fire extinguisher handy and inform the fire department of an oxygen tank present in your home in case of an emergency.

● Abstain from smoking or using a naked flame near the patient, especially when they are using oxygen.

● Consider the safety features of the patient’s home and whether they can accommodate oxygen safely when calculating palliative care at home cost.

● Maintain a distance of at least two meters between the oxygen source and heat sources, such as candles, stoves, grills, and heaters.

● Avoid the use of flammable products when the patient is using oxygen. These include aerosol cans, thinner, and cleaning liquids.

It is essential to plan beforehand if you want to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip:

● Speak with your healthcare specialist to know if you can travel safely and ask for specific oxygen therapy at home instructions in case they allow it.

● Keep a copy of your oxygen prescription when you travel.

● Contact the travel companies involved during your travel and let them know of your oxygen use. Do this well in advance to give them time to make any necessary arrangements.

● Understand how long a portable oxygen tank lasts and practice using it. This will help you prepare in case you require refills.

● Many aeroplanes, trains, ships, and buses are capable of accommodating portable oxygen concentrators. Try to get one and practice using it as well.

Wahat Al Aman