Question

1) what is oxygen concentrator use for?

2) Explain oxygen therapy guidlines

3) oxygen therapy systems how often should they be cleaned?

Answer 1

Oxygen concentrator is a medical device designed to deliver oxygen to the patient who is in need through a nasal tube or by a mask.The device is otherwise called as oxygen generator

1).Uses of oxygen concentrator

The oxygen concentrator is mainly used for the patients who is compromised for oxygen,thus delivers the oxygen for their body functions.

*Low blood oxygen or hypoxemia

*Respiratory arrest

*Hypoxia

*Metabolic acidosis

The oxygen concentrator is continuosly deliver the oxygen for a short-term or long-term basis according to the patient needs.The concentrator will be delivers the oxygen as liters per minute.

The machine will collect the air from the environment and concentrators and filters helps in purifies or removing the nitrogen from the air and deliver the oxygen to the patient with 87-95%..The oxygen can be deliver via by a nasal tube or by mask.Ifcthe patient having some nasal problems,stuffy or running nose mask is recommended.The machine can be used by a physician prescription.The concentration of the oxygen should be set in the machine according to the physician's order,and can be delivered as LPM(Liters per minute).

2).

*The oxygen can be delivered according to the patient condition and needs

*The oxygen can be delivered only according to the physicians order

*For the critically ill patients and the patient who need the oxygen as emergency,a high concentration oxygen should be needed till the patient condition should be stable

*low or moderate concentration of oxygen is needed to the patient with satisfactory oxygen saturation

*For the patients with stroke high concentrations of oxygen should be avoided.

*Patient saturation level should be monitored closely during the therapy

*oxygen should be administered only by a trained personnel

*Once the patient saturation is improved to a normal range or stable it should be discontinued according to the physicians order

3)

* The exterior part of the oxygen concentrator should be cleaned in a regular basis that is wiped with a damp cloth and make it dry

*If the concentrator is used for long time it should be cleaned once or twice a week by carefully remove the filters and concentrators and rinse in warm soapy water and soak it in vinegar and water,then again rinse in hot water and make it dry before replacing it back to the equipment.

*If the concentrator is used for a longer time and delivers the oxygen through nasal cannula it is recommended to change it on a 2 weeks or by monthly basis

*The nasal cannula or mask should be washed with soap and warm water and rinse it with vinegar and again wash with hot water and make it dry in appropriate place by hanging before every usage or regualar basis.

*If the concentrator is used only for a few hours the nasal cannula or mask is recommended to change nearly 6-10 or 12 months

Proper caring and replacement of the oxygen therapy system will helps to prevent infection and make the patient healthier and comfortable.