The Respiratory Consumer: Taking Charge of Your Health
Health care consumers who ask the right questions
and are active in making decisions save money and improve the quality
of care they receive. But knowing the right questions to ask can be difficult
in today's complex health care system.
This page discusses
different types of oxygen systems that are available and what questions
to ask when looking for the system that best serves your needs.
Only patients with blood oxygen
levels below critical levels will benefit from home oxygen. This means
that some determination of arterial oxygen level must be made by the prescribing
physician before oxygen can be rationally prescribed.
Types of Oxygen Systems Available to You
Concentrators
About the size of a window air-conditioner, these devices run by electricity
and do not need to be refilled. They effectively concentrate the oxygen
already existing in the room air by eliminating the nitrogen component.
- Suitable for low-flow prescriptions
(not exceeding 4-5 liters per minute)
- Dependable
- Easy to operate
- Requires regular service
checks
Liquid Systems
A thermos-like tank (about 40" tall) filled with liquid oxygen. When
oxygen is liquid, 860 times as much oxygen can be stored in the same amount
of space, at much lower pressure, than in high pressure tanks. The liquid
oxygen is converted to gaseous oxygen within the reservoir for breathing.
A smaller lightweight portable unit can be filled off the reservoir so
you can take the oxygen with you when you leave home. Liquid oxygen is
especially good for active people who need to be out of the home on a
frequent basis.
Liquid systems are:
- Suitable for frequently
mobile patients, and/or high-flow need patients (above 4-5 liters per
minute)
- No electrical costs to patient
- Regular refills necessary
High Pressure
Tanks
Available in various sizes, gaseous oxygen is pressurized and placed in
steel or aluminum cylinders, then released through a regulator.
- Suitable for low oxygen
usage (such as for emergency or occasional use, occasional portability)
- Can be stored for long periods
of time
- Careful storage is important
so that the cylinder cannot fall over
Questions to Ask
Discuss with your doctor what kinds of activities are best for you. To
what extent can you go out from home? By knowing what activities you can
do, the doctor can decide whether a stationary or portable oxygen system
is best for you.
Some tips about services you may require:
- Select a supplier that gives you 24-hour service without additional
charges.
- If traveling is something you are able to do, look for a company with
multiple locations. They should be able to assist you in getting oxygen
outside of your normal service area.
- Make sure the supplier can provide clear, written instructions regarding
your use of the equipment. Do they have trained representatives to instruct
you and to demonstrate the equipment when it is delivered?
- Ask for a complete breakdown of costs and verification of what your
Medicare or insurance will cover. Make sure the supplier takes Medicare
"assignment" (accepts what Medicare pays for services). After
you have paid your yearly deductible, Medicare will pay 80%. All oxygen
suppliers in the region get paid the same amount for the same prescription.
- Does the supplier have a clinician on staff to assist you if needed?
Do they have a follow-up program that the doctor can order?
- Find out if the supplier provided regular routine equipment maintenance.
How often do they service their equipment? Do they provide you with
information on how to keep it clean? Do they provide disposable tubing
needed on a regular basis? Are there any additional charges for this
tubing?
Remember—
You have the freedom of choice. If you can't get the problems
resolved by your current oxygen supplier, look under "OXYGEN"
in the Yellow Pages and the nearest Lincare location which can better
serve your needs.
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