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
Oxygen concentrator
How it works
Takes air from room
Compresses the oxygen
Takes out nitrogen from air
Adjusts the way the air is delivered
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
The FiO2 coming from a portable oxygen concentrator can vary anywhere from 90–96% FiO2
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.
Oxygen purity level at full capacity shouldn't be less than 80%
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)
Should be rated to work 24/7
Check if it has CE (Conformitè Europëenne) certificate.
Bubbler/humidifier
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.
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 may 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.
Cylinder types
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:
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, causing reinfection and 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.
If you need more information /checks for renting/buying , or you have any suggestions, please let us know we will verify and add it.
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