This leaflet explains what home oxygen therapy is and outlines the benefits and possible side effects of the treatment. If you have any further questions, please speak to a member of your healthcare team who will be pleased to help you.
What is home oxygen therapy?
It is the supply of oxygen therapy by prescription, following a comprehensive assessment of your needs. This therapy may be prescribed if you have a lung condition that causes low oxygen levels in your blood, but not all lung conditions require oxygen therapy.
How does oxygen work?
Oxygen is needed for all the organs in the body to function well. If the lungs cannot get enough oxygen into the bloodstream this can put a strain on your heart. By breathing in supplementary oxygen, you can reduce this strain on both your lungs and heart.
Remember: Oxygen is not prescribed for breathlessness, it is prescribed for low oxygen saturation levels in the blood.
Will oxygen benefit me?
People may notice a benefit within a few weeks of starting regular oxygen therapy, but it can take several months before you notice a general improvement in your condition. You will be monitored regularly by the Community Oxygen Service, and you can contact them if you have any concerns.
When may oxygen therapy be prescribed?
For some people oxygen therapy is required for long term use. Some people who are discharged from hospital with oxygen following a chest infection may not require oxygen as their condition improves.
The Community Oxygen Service will assess you after eight weeks from hospital discharge and remove the oxygen if it is no longer required.
Potential side effects
Dry mouth or nose. You can use KY jelly or aqueous based creams to moisten your nose. Please do not use any petroleum-based products as they are flammable.
Morning headaches: If you are having frequent morning headaches, this may indicate that you could need your oxygen flow rate adjusting. Please contact the Community Oxygen Service.
Nosebleeds. Oxygen therapy can dry the nasal spaces and cause nose bleeds. If nosebleeds continue sporadically for more than two weeks, please contact the Community Oxygen Service or your GP. If you have a nose bleed that won't stop, please seek medical advice.
Should I continue with my current medication?
Yes, you should continue to take all existing medications unless you are told otherwise by your GP or Respiratory Team.
What is long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT)?
Long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is where a person requires oxygen for more than 15 hours a day to meet their needs and reduce the strain on their heart and lungs.
This will be assessed by the Community Oxygen Service. The oxygen is supplied using an oxygen concentrator that takes oxygen from the air in the room, and delivers it through a nasal cannula or mask. You will need to use this both day and night, and you will be assessed separately to see if you require ambulatory oxygen (AOT).
What is ambulatory oxygen therapy (AOT)?
Ambulatory oxygen therapy is mainly used for outside walking and exercise. Some people’s oxygen levels fall when they are walking or exercising.
The Community Oxygen Service will assess you using a walk test, and prescribe oxygen if you require it. The devices can be prefilled cylinders, ambulatory concentrators or liquid oxygen, and can improve your ability to perform exercises and increase your independence.
Important advice for home oxygen therapy
Do not:
- Smoke or vape when using oxygen
- Leave your oxygen running when not in use
- Allow others to smoke near the oxygen
- Use flammable products, such as cleaning fluids, paint thinner, petroleum-based creams or aerosols, when you are on oxygen therapy
- Use oxygen near naked flames (risk assessments will be completed
- prior to provision of oxygen)
- Do not adjust the flow rate of the oxygen (this will be done by the Community Oxygen Service following reassessment).
Do:
- Inform the local fire service that you have oxygen in the house
- Inform your electricity supplier that you are using oxygen concentrator - you will be put on a priority list for reconnection in the event of power failure
- Inform your home insurance company - this should not affect your premium
- Have a working smoke alarm in your home and test it once a month
- Keep oxygen cylinders upright, especially when travelling in a vehicle.
Your oxygen supplier is:
Dolby Vivisol Telephone: 0800 917 9840
Community Oxygen Service contact details
Your specialist nurse is: [to be completed by the Community Oxygen Service]
Office hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
Telephone: O1737 775476
Email: fchc.respiratory@nhs.net
The team see housebound patients at home, and provide clinics at:
- Oxted Therapy Unit: Mondays
- Wayside Surgery: Friday mornings
- Caterham Dene Hospital: Second Tuesday of every month
To be completed by the Community Oxygen Service
Your oxygen prescription
Your target oxygen saturation range is:
Long term oxygen therapy: Flow rate: for hrs a day
Ambulatory oxygen therapy: Flow rate: for hrs a day
(to use when you’re walking around or exercising)
First Community provides front-line NHS community healthcare services in east Surrey and parts of West Sussex.
We provide first-rate care, through our first-rate people, offering first-rate value. For more information visit: www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk
If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us:
First Community (Head Office)
Call: 01737 775450 Email: fchc.enquiries@nhs.net Text: 07814 639034
Address: First Community Health and Care, Orchard House, Unit 8a, Orchard Business Centre, Bonehurst Road, Redhill RH1 5EL
- Twitter: @1stchatter
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For office use only: Version 1 PFD_LTC016 Publication date: August 2022