Home oxygen therapy involves breathing in air that contains more oxygen than normal through a mask or tube. This is connected to a device in your home.
Benefits of home oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy can be used to improve severe tiredness and breathlessness due to low oxygen levels.
It can also help with issues related to your lungs and breathing, such as:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- interstitial lung diseases (ILDs)
- some heart conditions
Important
Only use home oxygen therapy if your specialist team prescribes it for you. Buying oxygen online and using it without a prescription can be dangerous. It could cause damage to your brain, heart and lungs or even death.
Getting assessed for home oxygen therapy
Your doctor will refer you to a specialist clinic if they think your symptoms can be helped by home oxygen therapy.
To check the amount of oxygen in your blood, you may have a blood test and an oxygen sensor may be attached to your finger or earlobe. The blood test is called an arterial blood gas (ABG) and cannot be performed in your GP practice.
Staff will recommend equipment that meets your needs. You may need time to adapt to using it regularly.
Talk to your specialist team or oxygen supplier if you are struggling with your oxygen therapy.
Using home oxygen therapy
The main ways of using home oxygen therapy are:
- short tubes placed in your nostrils - this is called a nasal prong or cannula
- a mask over your nose and mouth
Types of devices
There are 5 types of devices that can be used to give you oxygen.
They can either give you a continuous flow of oxygen or a pulsed flow. A pulsed flow is when the device only gives you oxygen when you breathe in.
Types of devices include:
- an oxygen concentrator - gives a constant flow of oxygen
- portable cylinders - come in different sizes and can give a constant or pulsed flow
- portable devices - can give a constant or pulsed flow
- liquid oxygen - can give a constant or pulsed flow
- home fill oxygen - a combination of concentrator and special cylinders that provide a constant or pulsed dose of oxygen
Large oxygen cylinders are provided as backup in case there are problems connecting to the electricity supply.
Home oxygen therapy is free of charge if you have a medical card.
An engineer will install the equipment and explain how to use it safely. They will check for any household risks before installing the equipment. It is important to follow all the safety instructions provided.
Oxygen can also be attached to other breathing devices you may be using at home. For example, a BiPap or CPAP machine, or heated humidifier.
Oxygen suppliers
There are 2 companies in Ireland that provide home oxygen services.
Air Liquide Healthcare
Phone: 1800 240 202
HealthIE@airliquide.ie
Vivisol
Phone: 1800 350 300
patientsupport@vivisol.ie
Contact your supplier if you have a question about your device.
How to use home oxygen therapy safely
Check your device is clean, undamaged, and correctly positioned before using it.
Do
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install fire alarms and smoke detectors in your home and make sure they're working
-
tell your local fire brigade that you have oxygen at home
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keep your device at least 3m away from any appliances that use an open flame, such as a gas cooker or gas fire
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keep your device at least 1.5m away from other electrical appliances, such as a television, hair dryer or electric heater
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use your device in well-ventilated areas - keep a window open, if possible
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use only water-based lubricants for a dry nose or lips, for example Neilmed nasal gel
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if using alcohol gel, make sure your hands are dry before touching oxygen equipment
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switch off your device when not in use
Don't
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do not use or store your oxygen in a room with an open fire
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do not smoke or let anyone smoke near you when using your device - this includes vaping (using e-cigarettes)
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do not use flammable liquids, such as cleaning fluid, paint thinner or aerosols when using your device
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do not alter the settings of your home oxygen device without talking to your specialist team
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do not use oil-based emollients, such as Vaseline, when using your device - this can be a fire risk
Masks and nasal prongs
- Make sure you wear your cannula or mask correctly.
- Clean nasal prongs regularly with a damp cloth - avoid using wipes.
- If your nasal prongs become dirty, ask your contact supplier to replace them.
- Do not leave your cannula or mask on furniture or bedding when oxygen is on.
- Do not cover equipment with clothing or fabric.
Tubing
- Make sure you have enough tubing to move freely around your home.
- You can ask for additional tubing from your supplier.
- Check tubing regularly and replace if damaged.
- Keep tubing away from your feet to reduce risk of falls.
Oxygen concentrator machine
- Keep an emergency back-up cylinder in case of power cuts or equipment failure.
- Make sure your device has small plastic firebreak connectors fitted to your oxygen tubing - they reduce the risk of a fire traveling along the tubing.
- Always connect the oxygen concentrator to the mains.
- Try not to use an extension cord - this is a fire risk.
- If you must use extension leads, these must be CE-marked and power-surge protected.
Portable oxygen device
- Do not wear portable oxygen under coats or shawls.
- Do not store oxygen in backpacks that are not designed for carrying oxygen.
Liquid oxygen
- Liquid oxygen can cause frost bite burns - talk to your supplier if you get burns or find it hard to fill the canisters.
- Do not allow your oxygen supply to run out - let your supplier know when you need more.
Going on holiday
You should be able to go on holiday while using oxygen. Make sure that you're well enough to travel and plan your trip in advance.
With your medical card you can get holiday oxygen delivered to any destination in the Republic of Ireland.
If you're going on holiday in Ireland, talk to your oxygen supplier to see if it's possible for oxygen to be delivered to your destination. Try to give them as much notice as possible.
Travelling abroad
We only provides additional equipment at holiday locations within the Republic of Ireland. You cannot take our home oxygen equipment abroad.
Talk to your oxygen clinic before booking a holiday abroad. Some airlines need a letter from your consultant or a copy of your prescription.
If you travel abroad, you will need to arrange and pay for the oxygen supply for the duration of your stay. We do not supply oxygen for use on flights. You must book this through the airline company and pay for it yourself.
You will also need travel insurance.
Going abroad and air travel for patients with COPD - copd.ie
Advice for using oxygen therapy (video)
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