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When buying home oxygen therapy equipment, there are a few things that will make the experience run more smoothly.

First, you need an order from your physician for the use of oxygen, and the delivery equipment, at home. When you and your doctor and determined the need for it and the time arises to place the order, ask your doctor for a referral to a home medical equipment company that he/she recommends. Also, ask your friends who are in the medical profession or friends who are patients who use these services. These are the best referrals to a friendly, reputable company.

You also must know what you need for your particular condition. How much oxygen will you need? In what form? Via a cannula in the nostril or will you need more oxygen that flows through a mask? How much time out of a 24 hour day will you need to use oxygen? Your needs determine what equipment and how large at tank of oxygen you will need delivered to your home. Research different models of the equipment you plan to use and also check with your insurance company and/or Medicare to see if one type is covered while another is not. This might affect your choices.

There are some smaller parts to the system that will come along with the tank. You will need the delivery tubing - whether by cannula or mask, that delivers the oxygen to your respiratory system, and generally you will have a humidifier to moisten the air that is delivered. There will be a flow meter that is set to deliver a certain number of liters per minute of oxygen according to your needs. The regulator sets the pressure of the oxygen coming from the tank and has a needle gage that lets you know how much oxygen remains in the tank.

Oxygen in a tank is something to be respected. It is under high pressure and should be very well protected. Never lean or prop the tank where it may slide or fall. There have been serious injuries from oxygen (and other gas) tanks that fell and damage to the tank or regulator cause rapid loss of pressure, sending the tank the opposite direction like a missile. Also NEVER smoke or light any flammables near an oxygen tank. And also replace the tank when it begins to run low, usually about 400 to 500psi. Once you get familiar with your home delivery company, you will know how much time to allow them in advance to deliver more oxygen or replace equipment.

In summary:

Get the necessary orders from your MD

Determine your specific needs

Learn about the necessary parts of the Oxygen delivery system

Research equipment and get word of mouth referrals about companies in your area

Get comfortable with the use of it in your home

Follow safety guidelines for having oxygen in your home

Always keep your doctor informed about how the use of home oxygen is working for you. If you have any problems; you don't feel that it is working, your breathing is worse, the equipment may not seem right for you ... let your doctor know and he/she or the office will assist you in finding a solution and getting you back where you need to be!

Good luck!

Learn more about this author, Paige Eury.
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