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Know your Covid care devices

Learn more about the essentials of Covid care devices and how to verify the items when buying or renting. Some tips for use and care of the items. 

These are for your reference . Please follow instructions of doctor /anesthetist  

Credits : Manoj  A G 

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Oxygen concentrator

How it works 

  1. Takes air from room 

  2. Compresses the oxygen 

  3. Takes out nitrogen from air 

  4. Adjusts the way the air is delivered 

  5. Delivers the purified air 

Abbreviations 

LPM - Liters per Minute 

FiO2 -  Fraction of inspired oxygen

Home oxygen concentrator that delivers up to 5 LPM of continuous flow oxygen in a quiet unit that weighs around 15KG

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The FiO2 coming from a portable oxygen concentrator can vary anywhere from 90–96% FiO2

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5LPM is a approx.  40% FIO2

Checklist for renting /Buying 

  • Oxygen Purity

Oxygen purity is an essential aspect of owning an oxygen concentrator or tank, yet it is rarely mentioned to patients. Generally speaking, most oxygen concentrators and tanks are regulated and tested to meet specific standards of purity, Some units display the purity. 

  • Ask for purity test with the vendor. They should be able to manually test your concentrator to ensure proper function using an analyzer.

  • Regular Maintenance for Oxygen Concentrators is the Way to Maintain Oxygen Purity

  • Clean the Gross Filter Particle

  • Concentrators have 2 Filters  - Primary and secondary (Primary filters can be cleaned and reused in most cases

  • Molecular sieve Beds also called as  “cartridge” or Nitrogen separator – has a life of 18 months (depending on use)

Bubbler/humidifier

  • Humidifiers are not always necessary,  To be used if nasal passages/throat  become dry when using Oxygen concentrator/cylinder as it may cause damage to nasal passages  

  • Tap water should not be used  Use ONLY medical grade distilled water in the humidifier. Even filtered tap water can still have tiny impurities that might not be harmful to you but can cause build up and malfunctions in the oxygen concentrator. 

  • Bubbler/Humidifier  - has a life of one year.

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  • Attaching a humidifier  to your oxygen concentrator is very easy.

    • Ensure you have the humidifier that is compatible with your particular model of portable or stationary oxygen concentrator.

  • You will see two lines on the bottle – a maximum fill line, and a minimum fill line.

  • Don’t fill the bottle above the max fill line, because this can cause too much moisture to get into the concentrator, which can severely damage it and make it unsafe.

  • Letting it go below and stay below the minimum fill line for too long can also be unsafe because not enough moisture is getting through. The best thing to do is fill it up so that it is about a half inch below the maximum fill line.

  • You will need to turn on your concentrator and locate the humidifier port and the short rubber tubing that you will use to connect the nozzle of the humidifier bottle to the humidifier port on the oxygen concentrator.

  • Attach the nozzle to the tubing, and to the humidifier port. Wrap the Velcro strap around the humidifier bottle snugly, so that it won’t slip out and fall. Attach the Velcro to the opposite side of the Velcro to secure it against the oxygen concentrator. You are now ready to use your oxygen concentrator with the humidifier.

Oxygen Equipment Maintenance
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Cylinder types

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Oxygen Cylinders come in different capacities and contain liquid oxygen under pressure.  

They can be filled only in an industrial setup

Adult and Kids Nasal Oxygen Cannula

Nasal cannulas are usually available for purchase at your local pharmacy. Although most are disposable, nasal cannulas should still be kept clean in between replacements.

Used cannula should not be shared 

The following guidelines are recommended for care and maintenance:

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  • Clean Your Nasal Cannula Daily – in general, you should clean your nasal cannula everyday, in between replacements, with a sanitizing solution to keep it free from bacteria that may cause infection. Another option is to wash in warm, soapy water, rinse in a vinegar solution and allow to air dry. 

  • Ideally, you should have at least two nasal cannulas available at all times so that you have one to use while washing the other, or have a spare in case your cannula is somehow misplaced. Those using oxygen all day may want to consider keeping more that two on hand.

  • How Often Should You Change Your Oxygen Tubing? This depends upon the manufacturer, as well as how frequently you use your oxygen nasal cannula. Some recommend changing your nasal cannula every 2 weeks, while others say changing it every month works just as well. If you are only using your nasal cannula for a few hours a day, you should be able to use it for the longer period, but with frequent or constant use, replacing your nasal cannula every two weeks is ideal. Extension tubing should also be replaced regularly – usually every 3 months – or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

  • Do keep in mind that if you have been sick, you should replace both your nasal cannula and your extension tubing right away. Bacteria and viruses can live within the tubing, reinfecting you and causing your illness to last longer. While you are sick, and during the few weeks of recovery following your illness, changing your nasal cannula at least once a week is recommended by experts.

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