Your physician has prescribed home oxygen therapy, which is administered with a standard home oxygen concentrator, and possibly portable oxygen for mobility.   A home oxygen concentrator delivers continuous medical oxygen and runs on electricity.   It doesn't use expensive oxygen tanks or containers and has an 24/7 oxygen supply.   Small oxygen tanks or portable oxygen concentrators are used for mobility and emergency backup, in case of power failures.

Medical Oxygen Therapy

Supplemental oxygen in the home is prescribed by a physician, to treat low oxygen levels,  usually upon discharge from a hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient rehab or physician office visit.   Low oxygen levels are determined by low oxygen saturation levels, in the blood,  from arterial blood gas (ABG) or finger oxygen saturation test (Pulse Oximetry).   

Home oxygen is most commonly prescribed for chronic conditions such as

- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

- Congestive Heart Failure with Hypoxemia

- Interstitial Lung Disease- Pulmonary Fibrosis

- Lung Cancer

-  Alpha 1

- Cluster Headaches

How does a home oxygen concentrator work?

1.  Takes in the surrounding Air

2.  Compresses the surrounding Air.

3.  Removes Nitrogen

4.  Delivers purified oxygen through a nasal cannula or mask.

A standard home oxygen concentrator provides continuous oxygen are about 30-45 lbs, and have 25 to 100 Feet in oxygen tubing to provide oxygen throughout the home.  Oxygen Liter Flow settings are from 1 to 5 Liters Per Minute.  Your prescription will instruct the home oxygen dealer to set the prescribed liter flow.     The prescription will also indicate if you need to wear oxygen continuously, at night, or during exertion.  

During exertion, you may be prescribed small medical oxygen tanks or a portable oxygen concentrator.