Oxygen Therapy – An Overview

How Does Oxygen Delivery Take Place?

This therapy can be administered at home as well as in hospitals. In hospitals, oxygen is delivered to each patient room through a wall outlet from a central source. A flow meter is attached to the wall outlet for accessing the oxygen. A valve is provided to regulate the flow of oxygen. For a home setting, the oxygen source is a canister or air compressor. In either case, plastic tubing is used to connect the oxygen source to the patient. Oxygen is usually administered by nasal cannula, mask and tent. Nasal cannula is the commonly preferred delivery device as it does not interfere with the patient’s ability to have food, drink and communicate. Trans-tracheal oxygen therapy is another way of delivering oxygen to patients. In this method, a small flexible catheter is inserted into the trachea through a tracheostomy tube thereby resulting in the oxygen bypassing the mouth, nose and throat. Specialized infant oxygen delivery systems are also available.

There are many different types of oxygen delivery systems such as compressed oxygen, liquid oxygen and oxygen concentrator. Compressed oxygen method uses oxygen that is stored as gas in a tank. To control the oxygen flow, a flow meter and regulator are attached to the tank. This type of system is generally prescribed when oxygen is not required continuously i.e. needed while performing physical activity only. In liquid oxygen, a large stationary tank is used to store oxygen at home. Oxygen, which is liquid at very cold temperatures, changes to gas when warmed for delivery to patient. Oxygen concentrator is an electric oxygen delivery system, in which the concentrator extracts some air from the room, separates oxygen from it and delivers it to the patient through nasal cannula. It is prescribed for patients who require constant supplemental oxygen. A demand inspiratory flow system is an oxygen conserving device that uses a sensor to detect when inspiration begins. It delivers oxygen only upon inspiration.