Want To Use An Oxygen Concentrator At Home: Here's Everything You Need To Know Before Buying It

Disclaimer: The aim of the video, article, post is not to dispense medical advice. If you or anyone around you are exhibiting any symptoms do consult a medical health professional.

Amidst a widespread crunch of hospital beds and resources across the country, there's also a rising demand for oxygen support machines, cylinders and concentrators. But oxygen deprivation and lung infections are becoming common problems faced by COVID-19 patients during the second wave. At a time like this, oxygen concentrators, cylinders come of good use when it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure medical help in time. Some can also be well-treated at home.

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Experts warn, govt gives nod

Though experts have recently warned that using oxygen concentrators without medical guidance can be very harmful. Speaking at a webinar organised by PIB, Covid Co-ordinator, St. John's Medical College Hospital in Bengaluru, Chaitanya H. Balakrishnan said, "Patients with moderate pneumonia induced by Covid-19 -- with oxygen saturation less than 94 -- can benefit from supplemental oxygen given through oxygen concentrator, but only till they get hospital admission. However, patients using it themselves without suitable medical advice can be harmful."

This comes as the government on Friday permitted import of oxygen concentrators for personal use, through post, courier or e-commerce portals under gift category, amid surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. The exemption for oxygen concentrators is allowed only for a period till July 31, 2021, for personal use, according to a notification of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

That being said, with oxygen concentrators, one needs to be doubly careful and be aware of its usage.

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Who can use

Only mild to moderately ill patients, who have an oxygen saturation level between 90-94, should depend on an oxygen concentrator and can use it at home. Because there is scarcity of oxygen, even those with oxygen level as low as 85 can opt for one. Anyone with oxygen saturation depleting below 80-85 may need higher flow of oxygen and will have to switch to a cylinder or liquid medical oxygen supply.

What's the use

An inflamed lung infected by Covid-19 is unable to use atmospheric air (that has 21 per cent oxygen) to draw enough oxygen. External oxygen support makes the job easier for lungs. Also, steady electricity supply is a must. If you live in a place with frequent power cuts, you may want to look for an oxygen cylinder.

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How is it used

First lets understand how oxygen supply works. Dr Shahid Barmare says normal air will have 21 per cent oxygen. Concentrator will suck in atmospheric air, filter nitrogen and other gases, and compress remaining oxygen and dispense it through cannula. ¡°If 1 litre oxygen is provided to patient through concentrator, the oxygen percentage (or fraction of inspired air) in lungs rises to 24 per cent, with 2 litres it rises to 28 per cent and with 10 litres it rise to 60 per cent. Depending on need, the litres of oxygen per minute have to be regulated,¡± Barmare explains.

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A physician¡¯s advice is necessary to decide how many litres per minute of oxygen is required, a pulse oximeter should be handy. Oxygen concentrators can supply between 0.1 litres per minute (LPM) to 5 to 10 LPM. A concentrator has 92-95 per cent pure oxygen.

If concentrator gets overheated output of oxygen purity will reduce. So patient must use only as much oxygen as needed, not an overdose.

What to check before buying

There are two types¡ª continuous flow and pulse dose. Continuous flow oxygen will provide the same flow of oxygen every minute unless it is turned off irrespective of whether patient is breathing it in or not, while pulse dose oxygen concentrator detects breathing pattern and dispenses oxygen when it detects inhalation. The oxygen dispensed per minute will vary in second case.

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A lightweight device, weighing less than 27 kg, is recommended. Oxygen concentrators are available as 3, 5, 8 and 10 LPM units. Most common is 3 or 5 LPM. A 10 LPM can be used for two patients who have low oxygen requirement. A 5 LPM will cost Rs 40,000-60,000 and a 10 LPM can cost upto Rs 1.60 lakh.

Which one to buy

A poor quality concentrator (several are now imported from China and cost less) can give poor output even if specification are 10 LPM. So check the supplier¡¯s credentials. Phillips, BPL Medical Technologies Ltd, Invacare, AirSep corporation, SS Technologies, Oshocorp Global Pvt Ltd, Medtronic, Inogen, Nidek Medical, Chart Industries are some common importers and manufacturers in India.