Prescribing Home Oxygen

Question 1

General Prescribing Guidelines for Home O2 in COPD

Answer 1

1) Stable course of disease on optimum indicated medical therapy, e.g., bronchodilator, antibiotics, corticosteroids
2) At least two arterial blood gas determinations while breathing air for at least 20 minutes
3) Room air POi consistently 55 or less, or consistently 55 to 59 + cor pulmonale clinically diagnosed, or hematocrit 55% or greater
4) Normoxic patients, when less dyspnea and increased exercise tolerance is demonstrated with oxygen

Question 2

General Guidelines for Dose of Home O2 in COPD

Answer 2

1) Continuous flow by double lumen nasal cannula
2) By demand system with demonstration of adequate oxygen saturation
3) Lowest liter flow to raise PCb to 60 to 65 or oxygen saturation to 88% to 94%
4) Increase baseline liter flow by 1 liter/min during exercise and sleep