Oxygen Therapy at Home
Information What is oxygen?
for Patients
Oxygen is a gas that you can’t see, taste,
or smell, but it is in the air all around us.
Everyone needs oxygen in order to live.
The amount of oxygen in the air is always
21 percent. This is enough for people
whose heart and lungs work normally.
A person with heart or lung problems
may benefit from breathing air with
more oxygen.
Why use oxygen therapy?
Oxygen therapy is used for any condition
that may reduce the amount of oxygen
available to the body, such as lung or heart
disease. If your body is not getting enough
oxygen from breathing the air around you,
your doctor may put you on oxygen.
How do you know that you
need oxygen?
Your doctor will order 1 of 2 tests to
determine the amount of oxygen in your
blood. In an arterial blood gas (ABG) test,
blood is drawn from an artery, usually in
your wrist. This test directly measures
the amount of oxygen in your blood. The
other test is pulse oximetry (ok-SIM-eh-
tree, sometimes called SpO2 or O2 Sat).
A probe is attached to a machine called
an oximeter that indirectly measures how
much oxygen is in your blood. The
painless probe may be attached to your
fingertip, ear lobe, or forehead. It should
be checked while you are resting, sleeping,
and during activity.
Why oxygen is important
Oxygen is necessary for your body. It
is used by all of your main organs and
tissues. When your body does not get
enough oxygen, you may have difficulty
breathing, problems with your heart,
fatigue, loss of memory, headaches, or
confusion. Using oxygen decreases the
work your heart has to do. Oxygen is
one of your best medicines.
Oxygen prescriptions
Oxygen is a medicine and it must be
prescribed for you to get it. After your
tests are completed, your doctor may
prescribe oxygen on a temporary basis
or for long-term therapy. Most insurance
plans, including Medicare and Medicaid,
will cover most of the cost as long as
your test results show that you need the
oxygen. The remaining cost is often
covered by supplemental policies.
Insurance coverage varies, so check
with your insurance provider about
your coverage. Your health care provider
can help you choose a company to meet
your oxygen needs.
continued
 oxygen therapy AT HOME

When to use oxygen Portable oxygen concentrators, weighing

just under 10 pounds, have become available.
Since oxygen is a medicine, your To learn more about these, you can go to:
doctor will prescribe how much oxygen to www.inogen.net or www.airsep.net.
use and when to use it according to your
specific needs. Make sure you adjust
UPMC and readjust the liter flow according
Information to your prescription and activity.
for Patients
_____________ liter(s) per minute
during rest
_____________ liter(s) per minute
during exercise/activity
_____________ liter(s) per minute
during sleep
It is very important that you never
increase or decrease your oxygen
unless your doctor says you may.

Oxygen supply systems Concentrator

Concentrators
Depending on your needs, oxygen may be
delivered from a concentrator at home. A
concentrator pulls air from the room and
filters out the nitrogen to provide oxygen.
A concentrator needs electricity and may
increase the home electric bill. You should
have a generator or backup cylinder in
case the power goes out. Your home care
equipment company should provide
a backup cylinder. Tell your electric
company if you have a concentator.
Compressed Gas Oxygen Cylinders
Oxygen may be delivered as a gas under
pressure in oxygen cylinders. These
cylinders are made of steel or aluminum.
The aluminum cylinders weigh less than
the steel cylinders. Once empty, the
cylinder can only be refilled by the
home care equipment
company.

Cylinder

2 continued
 oxygen therapy AT HOME

Stationary Sources
Stationary sources are any large tanks
that can’t be easily moved. Examples are
a concentrator, liquid reservoir, or large
compressed cylinder (H or K cylinder).
UPMC Portable Systems
Information Portable systems include equipment
for Patients
that is mobile and weighs more than 10
pounds. Examples are a mid-size liquid
canister, mid-size compressed cylinder,
Liquid, stationary, and
and more recently a portable oxygen
ambulatory units
concentrator.

Liquid Oxygen
Oxygen also may be delivered via a liquid
oxygen system. Liquid oxygen turns into
a gas when you use it. This means that
large amounts of oxygen can be stored
in a small container. When the portable
liquid oxygen system is empty, you can fill
it from a larger liquid stationary system.
The home care company fills the stationary
system every 1 to 2 weeks depending upon
your oxygen prescription. This system
gives you more flexibility and mobility.
Ambulatory Systems
Ambulatory systems include equipment
that can be carried and weighs less than
10 pounds. Examples are a small liquid
canister or small high pressure gas cylinder.
Oxygen delivery devices
Ways of delivering oxygen include a tube
that goes into the nose (nasal cannula),
a mask, and a transtracheal catheter.
Oxygen may be delivered continuously
or intermittently through a pulsed system.

System sizes

Each type of oxygen delivery system is

available in different sizes. They are:
• stationary (large)
• portable (medium)
• ambulatory (small)

Nasal cannula

3 continued
 oxygen therapy AT HOME
Skin care
The oxygen tubing may irritate the skin
behind your ears. The oxygen may irritate
the inside of your nose. Some tips to help
with this irritation include:
UPMC • Use normal saline spray or water-soluble
Information jelly, such as brand name KY Jelly, to
for Patients
moisten the inside of your nose.
• Avoid petroleum-based products, such
as brand name Vaseline. Petroleum
products do not cause fires, but they
will support burning if a fire occurs.
• If you have soreness around your ears,
put cotton padding over the soreness.
You can also call your doctor or home
care equipment company.
Safety tips
• Always store oxygen containers upright
in an open and well-ventilated area.
Make sure they will not tip over.
• Do not store paper, fabric, or plastic
near oxygen units.
• Watch for kinks in your oxygen tubing.
• You will get a 50-foot supply of tubing
for oxygen delivery at home. Be careful
not to get caught or trip on this tubing.
• Be careful with metal fittings and pipes
on liquid systems to avoid frost injury
to your skin.
• Fasten your oxygen tanks upright in
your car. Do not put oxygen tanks in
the trunk.
4 continued
• Do not leave home with less than half
a tank.
• Tell your local fire department that
oxygen is in the home. A sign should
be posted that you have oxygen in your
home.
• Make sure smoke detectors are working.
Make sure fire extinguishers are easy to
reach and not outdated.
• Do not use appliances that could
create a spark in the room with the
oxygen unit, such as hair dryers or
electric razors.
• Ask your doctor for other options if
you have a gas stove.
• Be careful when unplugging any
appliance.
• Keep oxygen units and tubing at least
five feet away from any source of heat,
such as open flames, stoves, space
heaters, or candles.
• Do not use flammable products around
oxygen, such as aerosols and cleaning
products.
• Do not smoke or allow anyone to
smoke around you.
• Post a no-smoking sign in clear view.
• In a restaurant, ask to sit in the
no-smoking section.
• Tell your electric company that you
have a concentrator.
• Test the alarm system on your
concentrator regulary.
 oxygen therapy AT HOME
Traveling with oxygen
You can still travel even if you need
oxygen. Many people with heart and lung
diseases travel freely. All it takes is a little
planning. Talk to your doctor and home
care equipment company before you
UPMC travel. At different altitudes, your
Information oxygen needs may change.
for Patients
You’ll need to answer these questions
before your trip so you can plan how
much oxygen you’ll need:
• How long will you be gone?
• How will you get there (car, plane,
bus, train)?
• How long will it take you to get there?
Driving
If you are driving, make sure all oxygen
containers are secure at all times.
• Tanks — Keep upright and make sure
tank is secure. If you have to lay the
tank on its side, make sure that it
can’t roll.
• Liquid oxygen canister — Must be
kept upright at all times. You may want
to loop the strap attached to the canister
over the headrest of the seat next
to you.
• Have a handicapped parking sticker in
clear view. Ask your doctor about
applying for a handicapped parking
sticker.
5 continued
Air travel
If you are flying, make your arrangements
as far in advance as possible. Tell the
airline that you use oxygen when you
make your reservation. You must have
a statement from your doctor saying
that you need oxygen in order to fly on a
commercial airline. Ask about the airline’s
guidelines for passengers needing oxygen.
You may not be allowed to bring your
own oxygen on board. Some airlines may
require you to use the oxygen supplied by
the airline. The airlines charge for
oxygen, but the charges vary. Some
airlines may require you to use a portable
oxygen concentrator. These units are
available for rent if needed.
You may want someone to be responsible
for taking your oxygen tank or canister
back home once you board the plane.
You may take your liquid or compressed
gas cylinder system on board only if it is
empty. Be sure to ask about oxygen needs
during a layover or if there is a delay.
Contact your home care equipment
company to be there when you arrive
at your destination.
Confirm your arrangements 48 hours
before your trip and arrive at least 3 hours
early the day of your trip.
Cruises
Most cruise lines accept people with
oxygen. A doctor’s letter and advance
notice of 4 to 6 weeks is required. You
must arrange and provide your own
oxygen and equipment.
 oxygen therapy AT HOME
Train travel
Oxygen equipment can be brought on
board, but you must tell your train service
provider in advance. Amtrak requires
notification at least 12 hours in advance
that you will be bringing oxygen on board.
UPMC Be sure of the total traveling time so that
Information you take enough oxygen. Take at least
for Patients
20 percent more than you need in case of
delays. If you can’t take enough oxygen,
make arrangements with an oxygen
supply company to re-supply you at
stations along the way. Confirm with the
reservation agent that the train will be
stopped at the station long enough for
you to receive oxygen delivery.
Check with your train service provider
for detailed oxygen travel arrangements
as soon as possible before your trip.
Bus or taxi travel for a long
distance
Long distance bus or taxi carriers generally
require advance notice. Contact your
bus or taxi company for details and help
to meet your needs while traveling with
oxygen.
Travel trailer
A travel trailer allows you to bring an
entire liquid or concentrator system
with you. You must take a few extra
safety measures:
• Make sure the system is secure and
cannot be knocked over or roll.
• Make sure that no other items can
bump or damage it.
6 continued
• Keep all oxygen tanks, canisters, and
equipment secure.
• Drive safely to avoid accidents and
unnecessary jarring and bumping that
may cause the oxygen system or
other items to become loose.
Resources for traveling
with oxygen
• National supply chains and many local
dealers belong to a network of oxygen
providers and can help you make
arrangements.
• A website called “Breathin’ Easy” has
listings of oxygen suppliers located
throughout North America. Visit
http://www.breathineasy.com or call
1-888-699-4360.
• A resource for air travel is
www.homeoxygen.org/airtrav.html.
• Many travel agents specialize in
planning for travelers with special
needs and can help with oxygen.
Several companies can arrange oxygen in
destinations around the world. They do
charge a fee for this service, but will take
care of all the details.
Always ask your oxygen provider for
help before you travel with oxygen.
 oxygen therapy AT HOME

Questions to ask your supplier Feelings about wearing oxygen

• How do I estimate how long my It is common to feel uncomfortable about

system will last? wearing oxygen in public. Some people
choose to isolate themselves and stay
• How do I estimate what is left in my
home. Others may choose to go out
system?
without oxygen. This makes them short
UPMC • What routine care and maintenance of breath, tired, and uncomfortable.
Information
is needed for my equipment? Using your oxygen takes the work off
for Patients It is very important to know your system. your heart so you can be more active
Work with your supplier and keep their and enjoy life more.
telephone number handy.
For further information on oxygen,
go to www.portableoxygen.org.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service
at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.
Pittsburgh, Pa., USA UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. Policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital
www.upmc.com status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human
dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This
© UPMC 2008 commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
SYS340790 AEL/SHZ REV 5/08
Form # 10215-82191-0508 This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for
your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have.