#HOME OXYGEN SAFETY CHECKLIST PORTABLE#

Inhalation of high concentrations of oxygen for a few hours has not been found to produce harmful effects except for some special classes of patients. Other known toxic effects include retrolental fibroplasia, which has occurred in premature infants exposed to high concentrations of oxygen at birth, retinal circulatory injury, and erythrocyte hemolysis in adults. Adult respiratory distress syndrome, which involves interstitial and intra-alveolar fluid extravasation in the lung tissue, follows after 24-48 hours. The earliest symptoms are pleuritic substernal pain and dry cough, occurring after only 6 hours. One hundred percent oxygen inhaled at atmospheric pressure can cause pulmonary irritation and edema after 24 hours of exposure. It should be continued only as long as necessary. Thus, when oxygen treatment is used to correct hypoxia (low-oxygen concentration in the arterial blood), it should be with the minimum concentration of oxygen that will overcome the hypoxia.

In general, pure oxygen is a local irritant to mucous membranes, and with extended continued exposure it can be destructive to lung tissue. This poster, provided by the Compressed Gas Association, provides basic safety information for home oxygen users. It is extremely important for home oxygen users to take precautions to prevent oxygen fires and use their oxygen equipment safely. Smoking and open flames should never be allowed near oxygen. As a result, all materials that are flammable in air burn much more vigorously in oxygen some materials such as lotions, oil, and grease are easily ignited and burn with nearly explosive violence if ignited in oxygen. While oxygen is nonflammable, it readily supports combustion. When using home oxygen therapy, users must read and follow the instructions and safety precautions provided by their home oxygen supplier.

#HOME OXYGEN SAFETY CHECKLIST PORTABLE#

You may receive oxygen from a compressed oxygen cylinder, a liquid oxygen tank, a standard oxygen concentrator, or a portable oxygen concentrator. Home oxygen therapy is prescribed by medical professionals to provide supportive care for patients with a variety of health conditions.

Home oxygen safety checklist