Oxygen therapy consists in the administration of oxygen in concentration greater than that present in ambient air, in order to treat or prevent the symptoms and manifestations of arterial hypoxemia. This therapy can be applied both in acute situations, for the period necessary to overcome the acute event, and in the long term, when there is a severe chronic stabilized hypoxemia.
In particular, long-term oxygen therapy is administered to patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), as it has been shown to significantly increase survival, quality of life and neuropsychic performance, at the same time reducing hospital stay days and related hospitalization costs. By extension, it has been suggested for conditions other than COPD, such as interstitiopathies, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cystic fibrosis, or even palliative purposes.
With what types of devices can medical oxygen be delivered?
Technically, the supply of oxygen occurs through the use of special medical devices. Depending on the patient’s characteristics, the Pneumologist determines both the dosage in terms of flow/minute and hours/day, and the most appropriate dispensing system.
Fixed and portable concentrators: they are the solution of choice for patients with low average mobility and/or therapeutic flow, requiring a source of electricity to activate the process of air separation and oxygen delivery.
