Long Term Oxygen Therapy And The Oxygen Equipment Combo.
Posted by admin - 21/05/09 at 04:05 pmMany people on long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) are using more than one unit of oxygen supply as their days are filled with different activities.
Needing supplemental oxygen doesn’t mean having to be stuck at home.
You have the right to have an active lifestyle, whether it is for socializing, work, travel, pursuing hobbies, going shopping or whatever. And this is because there are practical alternatives for your oxygen supply.
The freedom of movement, which most people take for granted, is possible with portable oxygen units, but then again you are not always on the move so choosing the combination of oxygen equipment always helps.
If you think about it this is self evident, for example:
- Simple things around the house and these could include getting dressed, going to the bathroom or getting ready for bed. A small oxygen tank is much easier than having to set up a portable concentrator or the stationary unit you use.
- If you are going out shopping or visiting someone a portable concentrator that you can either plug in or use on batteries is probably the simplest alternative.
- For an extended period where you will not be moving around (and this could be at a desk working or for sleeping), the home stationary unit is perfect.
- Alternatively there are times when your activities are more demanding an you will be on the move or away from home for long periods of time. This could be going out a social activities or even travel. The portable oxygen concentrator or a portable tank are what you should be thinking about. The main consideration here is the amount of time.
Although there isn’t a complete-self-contained-one-only solution for every conceivable activity, there are oxygen units that you can use according to the need.
And this doesn’t mean having a warehouse full of equipment.
Whatever the case may be, the cost of various units is an important factor so you should give this some thought.
Another important point is that whatever machine you use it must be able to provide you with the oxygen you require, at the rate you require it and for as long as you require it.
There are a few practical combinations of oxygen units and systems. The ultimate combo should be based on your particular prescription, your lifestyle.
The following is one such combination that from personal experience works very well and is how my Dad set up his oxygen equipment combo:
Combo: Home oxygen concentrator, a couple o portable oxygen tanks (compressed oxygen) and a portable concentrator (8 hour battery power option).
- The stationary concentrator is used both to refill the tanks and for sleeping.
- Portable Oxygen Tanks: As an emergency unit and everyday in the house when taking a shower or other very short periods of time.
- Portable Oxygen Concentrator: This is his most used oxygen unit. For a mobile lifestyle the size, weight and duration make it the most important oxygen supplying machine. He uses his portable concentrator during work, travel, ordinary driving, social meetings and most of the day.
There are other alternatives you can use based on the appropriate mix suitable for your life style and oxygen needs.
A starting point for an oxygen system combo would have a stationary oxygen concentrator and a portable unit.
The combo presented above is used by an oxygen therapy patient that leads a very active social life, even though he requires oxygen 24/7.
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