Overview

Oxygen Overview

We’ve designed this website to be a resource for patients.  We want patients to know their options and to be able to discuss those options with their doctor.  This website does not offer medical advice.  It is not meant to replace the medical advice from a doctor or other medical personnel.  Our goal is to provide accurate information, even if that means giving you links to other websites.  

There is a lot to know about going on oxygen and it can be overwhelming.  Doing some research ahead of time will help you be better prepared for what to expect from the oxygen company and to know what questions to ask and what oxygen delivery system will best meet your needs and lifestyle.

Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act

The SOAR Act has been introduced into both houses of Congress to improve access to liquid oxygen, to provide oxygen patients with access to respiratory therapists to help with their equipment and oxygen questions, and to help reduce fraud.  Click here to learn more about the SOAR Act and how to contact your members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor the Act.

Starting on Oxygen

Oxygen and insurance companies tend to take a one size fits all approach to oxygen.  When your doctor prescribes oxygen, they will usually contact a company that takes your insurance.  This company will then in turn call you to schedule a delivery.  They usually won’t call to ask about you, who you are, what your lifestyle is like or even whether you work or not.  They will tell you they want to schedule a delivery and will bring you a home concentrator unit and several tanks.

If you know you need oxygen and have done your homework ahead of time, you can make sure that:

  • You are working with an oxygen company that will fit your needs.  Not all companies carry the same brand of equipment, or all supplemental oxygen options like portable oxygen concentrators and/or liquid oxygen.
  • They carry portable oxygen concentrators (if this is what you want and know it will meet your needs) and carry a brand that will work for you.
  • You know their delivery schedule and ensure you have enough equipment until their next delivery.

Oxygen Delivery

Equipment

There are several ways of getting oxygen.

  • A home concentrator is a large unit that typically stays in one place.  It uses the surrounding air filtering out the nitrogen to provide a high concentration of oxygen.  Air is about 21% oxygen.  The concentrator will provide oxygen at around 85-95%.
    • ​There are some home units that can also refill tanks.  These are sometimes referred to as trans-fills.  The advantage is you are not dependent on the oxygen company to deliver new tanks.  The disadvantage is these only fill smaller tanks.  If you require continuous flow and/or your liter per minute flow is over 2, the tanks won’t last too long.
  • Tanks contain compressed gas and come in several sizes.  The smaller ones are easy to carry over the shoulder.  The larger tanks need to be wheeled.  The length of time a tank lasts depends on the pounds per square inch in the tank and the rate at which it is used.
  • Liquid oxygen is considered the best especially for those with higher flow needs.  Unfortunately, in the US, most people are unable to get liquid oxygen.  It is preferred for patients with higher flow needs (usually 4 liters per minute or more).  When compared with compressed gas tanks, they are lighter weight and last longer.  Liquid oxygen requires a larger reservoir in the home from which the smaller containers can be filled.  
  • Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) vary in size from about 3lbs upwards of 20lbs.  They can offer more mobility as long as they remain charged.  Battery life also varies greatly from a few hours to over 10 hours.  POCs are not for everyone though as they don’t deliver a high liters per minute of oxygen, and the faster one is breathing (usually with exertion) the smaller the amount of oxygen the POCs typically deliver with each breath.  Click here to learn more about POCs and some of the available models.

Pulse vs. Continuous Flow

The oxygen is delivered in one of two ways.  Either a continuous flow of oxygen, or a pulse.  The continuous flow is just as it sounds – the oxygen is always flowing.  The pulse method typically delivers oxygen when it senses the wearer inhaling.  The oxygen company will typically come out to evaluate whether the patient can use pulse flow.

Flying with Oxygen

Did you know that your blood oxygen levels drop when you fly?  If you have a pulse oximeter check it the next time you fly.  Tanks are not allowed on airplanes.  Only Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved portable oxygen concentrators can be used onboard a plane.  Click here to learn more.

Oxygen Resources

American Thoracic Society link: thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/oxygen-therapy.php

COPD Foundation Supplemental Oxygen Guide:  https://www.copdfoundation.org/Downloads/The_Supplemental_Oxygen_Guide_COPD-March-2020.pdf

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation link:  https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/understanding-pff/treatment-options/supplemental-oxygen