Oxygen Management

Home oxygen is prescribed for people whose lungs or heart cannot keep enough oxygen in the blood, for example people with severe COPD, lung fibrosis or heart failure. This lesson explains that oxygen is a prescribed medicine, not a treatment for breathlessness in general, and that the doctor sets how much, how often and for how long it is used. Key points: follow the prescription and support plan exactly, too much oxygen can harm some people, and never start, stop or change oxygen yourself.

Home oxygen is delivered by different types of equipment. This lesson introduces oxygen concentrators, which make oxygen from room air using electricity; cylinders, which store oxygen under pressure; portable concentrators for outings; and the nasal cannula or mask the person breathes through. It covers basic care such as keeping tubing free of kinks and trip hazards, keeping the concentrator in an open space, securing cylinders upright, and knowing the backup plan for power failures. Key point: follow the supplier's instructions and the plan.

Oxygen does not burn by itself, but it makes other materials catch fire more easily and burn faster and hotter. Clothing, bedding, hair and furniture near oxygen can become highly flammable. This lesson explains the fire risks, including smoking, which is the most serious, open flames, heaters and sparks. Key points: no smoking, including e-cigarettes, by anyone near oxygen, keep oxygen equipment at least two metres away from heat sources and open flames, and display no smoking signs so visitors know oxygen is in use.

Simple rules greatly reduce the risk of an oxygen fire. This lesson covers the key rules: no smoking or vaping by anyone near oxygen, no smoking signs at the entrance, keeping equipment at least two metres from heaters, stoves, open flames and electrical items that heat or spark, not using oil or petroleum based creams on the face, turning oxygen off when not in use, and working smoke alarms. It also covers what to do in a fire: turn off the oxygen if safe, get everyone out and call 000.

People using oxygen can become unwell quickly. This lesson covers signs that the person may not be getting enough oxygen, such as increasing breathlessness, blue or grey lips, new confusion, drowsiness, restlessness or a headache on waking, and what to check: is the equipment on, is the flow as prescribed, is the tubing connected and free of kinks. Key points: call 000 for severe breathlessness, blue lips, chest pain or unresponsiveness, and report equipment problems to your team leader and supplier.

This final lesson sets out your responsibilities when supporting a person who uses oxygen: follow the prescription and support plan, keep the environment fire safe, look after the equipment as trained, observe and report changes, and report equipment faults to your team leader and the supplier. It reminds you that this course builds knowledge only and that you must be trained and assessed as competent by a qualified health practitioner for the specific participant and their equipment. The lesson ends with a course summary and asks you to complete the final assessment.

This case study follows Frank, an older man with COPD who uses home oxygen and still smokes. His plan and risk assessment set out safe arrangements, including turning his oxygen off and smoking outside, away from the equipment. One afternoon his support worker finds him about to light a cigarette with his oxygen still running. The lesson shows how to respond calmly, protect everyone's safety, respect Frank's right to choose and report the risk so the plan can be reviewed. Key points: safety first, no smoking near oxygen, respect choice and report every unsafe event.

This case study follows Mrs Adeyemi, an older woman with heart failure who uses an oxygen concentrator at home. During a storm the power goes out and her concentrator stops. The lesson shows how her support worker follows the power failure plan, uses the backup supply only as trained and as the plan directs, watches for warning signs and calls 000 when her condition becomes severe. It also covers what to record and report afterwards. Key points: know the backup plan, keep the prescribed rate, watch breathing, colour and alertness and call 000 for severe signs.