2000 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
Selecting The Most Appropriate Ambulatory Oxygen System For Your Patient
Gregg Spratt, RRT Rotech Medical Corporation, Kirksville, Missouri
Presents a process that can be used to match a particular ambulatory oxygen system to a patient's needs. Describes the appropriate manner of ensuring that an oxygen-consuming device provides acceptable saturation during all phases of ambulation.
I. Factors in choosing an appropriate system
A. Patient Needs/Requirements
1. Oxygen requirements during activity
a. Liter flow
b. Usage per day/week/month
2. Patient desires
3. Physical limitations
a. Strength
b. Dexterity
c. Orthopedic limitations
4. Cosmetic/aesthetics
5. Deliveries
a. Distance
b. Frequency
B. Physician Requirements
C. System Benefits/Limitations
1. Conserver vs. Continuous flow
2. Weight
3. User-friendliness
4. Special Cannulas
5. Refillability/Ability to carry spare
D. Using Multiple Modalities
E. Costs
II. Medical Appropriateness
A. One liter flow versus need-based flow
B. Assessing appropriateness
C. Therapist Driven Protocols
1. Assessment for oxygen flow
2. Assessment for conserver
III. Role of Home Care Therapist