Recording Available: POC Basics and How to Spot Non-FDA Approved POCs
Running On Air recently posted the recording of the webinar with Mike Hess of the COPD Foundation, and Mary Kitlowski, President and Founder of Running On Air.
This webinar discusses important considerations for people who already use portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) or care for someone who depends on one.
A key focus of the webinar is identifying the difference between legitimate medical oxygen concentrators and devices marketed online that claim to produce oxygen but are not approved for medical use. The presenters explain that true POCs must meet strict performance and safety requirements and receive clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, some products labeled as “oxygen machines” or “oxygen generators” may only slightly increase oxygen concentration and are not designed to deliver the oxygen levels required for prescribed therapy.
The webinar also highlights several warning signs that may indicate a device is not a legitimate concentrator, such as missing FDA clearance information, vague product descriptions, unrealistic performance claims, or unusually low prices. Attendees are encouraged to carefully verify device specifications and regulatory information before purchasing equipment. Overall, the session emphasizes the importance of being informed consumers and ensuring that any oxygen device used for therapy is a properly approved medical concentrator.
