How to carry out home oxygen therapy for patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation. It is characterized by persistent airflow limitation, which develops progressively with the course of the disease.

The main clinical manifestations of patients with COPD are cough, expectoration, and dyspnea. As the condition worsens, hypoxia has become a common clinical symptom in patients with moderate to severe COPD.

Oxygen therapy is the most basic and effective treatment method for COPD patients, whether hospitalized for acute exacerbation or long-term family rehabilitation at home.

Long-term home oxygen therapy - refers to the method of returning to the society or family after leaving the hospital during the remission period, and supplementing oxygen at home for a long time to reduce hypoxia and dyspnea, reduce complications and prolong life.

The benefits of long-term home oxygen therapy: correction of hypoxemia, mitigation of deterioration of lung function. Reduce pulmonary arterial pressure and delay the progression of cor pulmonale. Improve the survival rate, some studies have shown that the 5-year mortality rate in the oxygen therapy group is about 45%, and the non-oxygen therapy group is 67%. Reduce complications, prevent thrombosis and sudden death. Improve neuropsychiatric symptoms and improve quality of life.

Indications for long-term home oxygen therapy: Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) <7.3 kPa (55 mm Hg) or arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) <88% when breathing room air at rest; or PaO2 of 7.3- 8.7 kPa (55-65 mm Hg), accompanied by one of the following conditions: ① secondary polycythemia (hematocrit>0.55); ② pulmonary heart disease or pulmonary hypertension. Oxygen therapy is required as soon as possible.

Precautions for oxygen therapy

    Safety of oxygen therapy: There is a potential danger of fire and explosion in home oxygen therapy. The oxygen supply device should be shockproof, oilproof, fireproof and heatproof. When handling oxygen cylinders, avoid dumping and impact to prevent explosions.

Prevention of infection: The oxygen supply device should be used by special personnel, and attention should be paid to disinfection before and after use.

Inhaled air humidification: Because of the oxygen released from the compressed oxygen cylinder, the humidity is mostly less than 40%. Therefore, when inhaling oxygen at a low flow rate, it is also necessary to connect a bubble humidification bottle.

Check whether the nasal cannula is unobstructed: If there is a blockage of secretions, it will affect the inhalation, so you should always pay attention to check whether the nasal cannula is unobstructed.

Machine selection for oxygen therapy

oxygen concentrator machine

Using the adsorption performance of molecular sieve, through the physical principle, the large displacement oil-free compressor is used as the driving force to separate nitrogen and oxygen in the air, and finally obtain high-concentration oxygen.

The high-flow humidification therapy device continuously provides patients with a high-flow inhaled gas treatment method with relatively constant oxygen concentration, temperature and humidity through high-flow nasal obstruction. Compared with traditional oxygen therapy, the concentration of oxygen supply is more accurate, and the effect of heating and humidification is better.

Non-invasive ventilator

According to the professional evaluation of the respiratory physician, an individualized method is formulated (the mode and parameters suitable for the ventilator are selected according to the condition), and the respiratory department is followed up on a regular basis.

Long-term home oxygen therapy is the most convenient and easy treatment method for COPD patients. Under the guidance of professional respiratory physicians, individualized oxygen therapy is the most powerful aid for the recovery of COPD patients.