Once you’ve selected your portable concentrator or stationary concentrator, there are a few safety and maintenance tips you should be aware of. The following is a list of some of the most important do’s and don’ts you’ll want to keep in mind. Of course, this is just a reference and you shouldn’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have!
Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.
The 10 Basic Safety Guidelines for Oxygen Therapy Use
Oxygen itself is a safe gas to use, and oxygen therapy provides benefits to enhance your health. If you use oxygen therapy, taking the right safety measures is essential for yourself and anyone around you. Practicing these tips will reduce your risk of accidents and injuries and ensure you get the most out of your oxygen therapy.
User Question: Why Do I Need a Prescription to Buy a Concentrator?
To purchase an oxygen concentrator, you do need a prescription from your doctor, stating your oxygen level. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) makes the rules about prescription sales, and at this time, oxygen concentrators are one of the medical devices for which the FDA requires a prescription. This is to ensure proper care has been taken in selling you an oxygen machine that is appropriate for your needs, and a prescription is the only evidence we have of exactly what those needs are.
The oxygen machine you purchase and use is also largely determined by your prescription, and that’s why you may have completely different needs from your friend who also uses supplemental oxygen, even if you both have the respiratory condition. Several important health indicators factor into a prescription for supplemental oxygen that results from a pulse oximetry test and arterial blood gas test.
Top Pulse-Dose Portable Concentrators for 2024
Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) provide better health with freedom and the safety of never running out of oxygen. As the name states, portable concentrators are portable. They’re small and lightweight, and many units include carrying bags and backpacks for easy portability. And as technology advances in 2024, POCs are becoming even more powerful and easy to carry.
The Oxygen Concentrator Store carries the Largest Selection of Pulse Dose Portable Oxygen Concentrators. If you’re unsure where to begin, we’ve made this list of the top POCs on the market in 2024.
Intro to Travel CPAP Machines
CPAP therapy is the most widely used treatment for sleep apnea. People on CPAP therapy must use their CPAP machines every night during sleep to avoid health complications caused by sleep apnea and insufficient sleep. Although many CPAP machines are bulky and difficult to travel with, there are portable travel CPAP options that make it easy to remain compliant with CPAP therapy while on road trips, airplanes, and even while going off the grid.
The best travel CPAP machines are small, quiet, lightweight, and easily fit in your travel bag or carry-on. And better yet, some travel CPAP units do not require water for humidification. The Oxygen Concentrator Store offers some of the smallest and lightest travel CPAP machines on the market.
What is the Normal Oxygen Level? How to Check Oxygen Saturation Level
If you have COPD any other chronic lung condition, you probably know what it means to have a lower than normal blood oxygen saturation level. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is just one example, but it means that your lungs’ ability to bring in enough oxygen is compromised. The tiny air sacks in your lungs have been damaged, so you can’t absorb enough oxygen through these sacks into your bloodstream.
It’s important to have a certain level of oxygen, versus a certain level of carbon dioxide in your blood at one time. The carbon dioxide is carried back to your lungs, where it is breathed out when you exhale. The oxygen you breathed in gets delivered to every part of your body, as part of the fuel you need to keep your body working properly.
Oxygen Troubleshooting – Why Would an Oxygen Concentrator Stop Working
Just like any other piece of electrical equipment, an oxygen concentrator can stop working due to technical issues or after it’s gotten over a certain age. You might also have instances where it can malfunction due to an outside influence, with no problems in the concentrator itself.
If an oxygen concentrator is not providing oxygen, it could be due to several different reasons. The system in an oxygen machine is made up of a few intricate parts that all work together to purify and deliver medical-grade oxygen, so you can breathe it in.
However, before you call a maintenance technician, you can do some troubleshooting on your own to see if you can fix the problem yourself. Sometimes, the cause of a big problem can be a small and easy fix.
Customer Question: How Often Should I Change my Oxygen Cannula?
“Hello, I just received my first portable oxygen concentrator the other day, and I’m very satisfied with the service. I’m glad that it also came with a free nasal cannula and tubing, which saved me some hassle even though it doesn’t seem like a big deal. I was wondering how often I should change the nasal cannula, or how I know when to change it. Thanks in advance!” – Bobbi J.
Thank you for this question, Bobbi, we’re very glad that you are satisfied with your new concentrator and our service. The question of changing your cannula is very important and the answer depends on a few different factors.
Oxygen Concentrator Repairs and Maintenance 101
Oxygen concentrators are necessary for many patients. For this reason, it is crucial that your system is in 100-percent working order at all times. Whether you purchase a new or used concentrator, the unit should be cleaned and maintained to prevent costly repairs. However, over time, your concentrator will likely require a professional evaluation and repair work. It is essential to know how to manage your system correctly so that you can keep using it for years to come.
Top Continuous Flow Portable Concentrators for 2024
Becoming increasingly popular and in demand are the portable oxygen concentrators that provide both pulse dose delivery mode and continuous flow oxygen delivery. These units are convenient, versatile and offer the user to choose which delivery mode to use based on their supplementary oxygen needs. For oxygen users who prefer pulse dose delivery during the day and continuous flow at night, these units are the optimal choice. Unlike pulse-dose only concentrators, these units are compatible with BiPAP, CPAP machines, and humidifier bottles on continuous flow.
Here at The Oxygen Concentrator Store, we carry the largest selection of continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators. Let’s take a look at the top 3 units of 2024 and break down what makes them our favorite.