Oxygen use in the home has become common place with new Medicare benefits and private insurance reimbursement. The most commonly used oxygen delivery system used in the home is the oxygen concentrator. An oxygen concentrator is an electrically operated device that draws in room air, separates the oxygen from the other gases in the air and delivers the concentrated oxygen to the patient. The concentrator acts like a strainer. It traps oxygen and releases the other gases (mostly nitrogen) back into the room air. This process goes on continually until the oxygen inside the unit is highly concentrated. The air which the patient receives from the concentrator is more the 90% oxygen.

There are several different models and sizes of oxygen concentrators available on the market today. However, all models have the same basic parts: a power switch to turn the unit on and off, a flow selector that regulates the amount of oxygen the patient receives, an alarm system that alerts the patient if the power is interrupted and, if prescribed, a humidifier unit that allows the oxygen to be moisturized so it will not dry out to the patient's nose, mouth and throat.

The oxygen is delivered to the patient through a nasal cannula or face mask. The tubing on the cannula or mask is attached to the outlet on the humidifier unit. Sometimes, an extra length of tubing may be attached between the concentrator and the nasal cannula or face mask. This will allow the patient to move about at a farther distance from the concentrator.

It is very important that the patient use the oxygen dosage prescribed by their physician. Using too much oxygen or too little can have harmful effects. Most states require the patient concentrator to be checked by a factory trained technician at least once a month. Other states including Tennessee require the patient to be visited by a Respiratory Care Practitioner certified by that state on a monthly basis.

The patient should feel completely confident in using the home oxygen system prescribed by their physician. The equipment company responsible for delivering the concentrator to the patient's home should provide the patient with easy, step-by-step instructions on how to operate and care for the concentrator in the home. The patient also should be given the 24 hour number of the equipment company in the case of an emergency.