Long Term Oxygen Treatment

To be classified as long term, the patient receives continuous oxygen for at least 12 hours a day although the usual standard indicates a minimum of 16 hours. It is only with the continuous treatment that sufficient amounts of oxygen are inhaled, supplying the organs while relieving the heart from undue stress.

An important aspect of oxygen therapy is that it also aims to allow the patient to be mobile and be able to continue his or her normal activities. For this there are portable oxygen delivery systems which are: oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen tanks or concentrated oxygen cylinders. In many case these patients will have a combination of two or more of these systems.

Portable oxygen machines have their stationary and home alternatives.

A home oxygen concentrator (also known as an oxygen generator) is a device the size of a bedside table where mobility within the home is guaranteed. For outside activities a portable oxygen concentrator is used that can provide hours of oxygen supply thanks to its rechargeable batteries as well as the plug in alternative.

Oxygen supply by means of a concentrator is inexpensive as these machines extract oxygen from the surrounding air. A stationary machine is a convenient source of oxygen within the home, but does limit mobility. Noise is also a factor as they are not just releasing stored oxygen, but extracting it and there is a hum as the machine is running.

Oxygen Tanks. These store liquid oxygen and is recommended when high amounts of oxygen are required. Liquid oxygen tanks store a much greater amount of oxygen than compressed oxygen therefore large mobility outside the home is provided.

Oxygen Cylinders (compressed oxygen). A large oxygen cylinder would be kept in the house with smaller, portable tanks on hand for an appropriate mobility outside. Depending on the oxygen flow needed these can last for up to a few hours.

The oxygen demand at home can be covered directly from the large cylinder or an oxygen concentrator.

Drawback for oxygen tanks and cylinders is that they need regular filling and this means costs and logistics to coordinate with a regular supplier. Stationary oxygen concentrators can be used to refill small cylinders with the use of an adapter. Many patients are taking this option as the costs are reduced at the same time as their mobility needs are met.

The final decision on the nature and extent of the oxygen supply is ultimately made by your doctor´s recommendation and the health insurance. The insurance side of things can be sorted out by an accurate medical diagnosis and clear exposition of the reasons for a specific system.