Long-term Oxygen Therapy

Home Health care is currently the fastest growing segment of the health care industry. This is not surprising since the traditional way of providing health care, that is, in the acute care facility is also the most expensive method of providing health care. Along with the reduction in costs, the patient views home care as a possible way to increase their independence and dignity, and reduce the incidence of re-hospitalization. Oxygen therapy is probably the most frequently ordered therapy in this field of health care. This is of no surprise, as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the 2nd leading cause of long term disability in the United States.

There are different types of equipment to delivery home oxygen therapy. The liquid oxygen, oxygen concentrator, and the compressed gas systems all have advantages and disadvantages that contribute to specific needs of the home care patient. Each patient's needs are individually unique; therefore knowledge of each system is needed in order to properly set up oxygen therapy in the home.

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