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Home oxygen therapy both for adults and children from the neonatal stage has been gaining popularity – but it is not without risks and grave dangers. The Department of Surgery of the University of Cincinnati conducted a survey highlighting these dangers. The key factor to home oxygen therapy is the communicating and the sharing of relevant information between the caregivers – professionals and family members. Central to it is the patients themselves; additional care is required in the case of children. The children will have to be told about the dangers and in such a way that it is keeping with their age (Black and Hawks 2005).
If the lungs are not getting enough oxygen, then it is prescribed by the doctor. Breathing oxygen reduces breath shortness and helps in survival protecting the heart. Air contains 21% oxygen but the oxygen taken at home is 100% pure– it is concentrated. The doctor prescribes the right dose of oxygen – some requiring it round the clock while others during sleep or while exercising. Three methods are there for providing oxygen at home – compressed tanks, liquid form and oxygen concentrators. It is inhaled through two light tubes (nasal cannula) or rarely through masks. The physician is the best judge for this. If used properly home use of oxygen is perfectly safe. Oxygen does not explode but it supports explosion. Thus, any stuff that is already burning will burn faster and become hotter coming in contact with oxygen.
Certain precautions are a must – the oxygen must be a minimum of 6’ distant from any open flame. It means one should not store it near any such source; one should not smoke near it and for this set up ‘No Smoking’ signs are recommended. Electrical appliances also give off sparks. The flow rate should not be arbitrarily changed – there is a danger of side effects. More than 50’ of tubing should not be used. There should be smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the house. Oxygen should be kept distant from aerosol sprays and cans. The system should be kept dusted and clean – as demonstrated by the delivery personnel. The equipment should be kept in a well-ventilated place where it will not be knocked over – preferably in a cart or laid flat. It should not be carelessly carried inside backpacks or the like. The electric supply should be notified so that priority is given to residences using oxygen in the eventuality of a power failure. Backup tanks should be ready at hand but one should be conversant with its use (NMPDU 2002).
Certain myths about oxygen need to be known – it is not addictive, can be used even when the nose is stuffy and people using it lead a normal life since many types of portable oxygen are available. Oxygen is a drug and should never be used without the doctor’s order. In nursing clinical practice, the following recommendations will come in handy. The team comprises a doctor, nurse and respiratory therapist. The technicians dealing with respiratory therapy should be properly trained to check that oxygen has been set up properly and continues to remain so.
The oxygen therapy is prescribed by the physician and must include mention of the flow rate and when oxygen is to be administered. The nurses assess the patients and see to it that the doctor’s orders are being properly administered. The delivery system has to be supervised and changed recommendations attended to. The same applies to respiratory therapists to assess the setup and recommend changes.
References
Black, J.M., and Hawks, J.H. (2005). Medical-surgical nursing: clinical management for positive outcomes. Vol. 1. Ed 7. NY: Elsevier Saunders.
NMPDU. (2002). Home Oxygen Therapy: For children being cared for in the community. Edinburgh: Nursing & Midwifery Practice Development Unit.
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