Doctor's Do's and Don'ts For Using Oxygen Cylinder For COVID-19 Patients At Home

With hospital beds getting scarce across the nation, several patients who¡¯re experiencing a severe case of the novel coronavirus are looking for way to protect themselves.

These patients have been recommended by their doctors to take the help of oxygen cylinders to enable them to breathe and boost their blood oxygen saturation levels to safe numbers.

Also Read: Indians Googling ¡®How To Make Oxygen At Home¡¯, As Covid Crisis Intensifies

Reuters

One Dr Kamna Kakkar on Twitter has offered a few tips surrounding the appropriate and optimal use of oxygen cylinders, considering the shortage the nation is currently experiencing isn¡¯t going away anytime soon.

Don¡¯t try to reach 100 percent blood oxygen saturation

The first suggestion that she¡¯s offered is that people should, ¡°Target oxygen saturation of 88-92% only. It's safe and best. Do not chase 100% saturation on your finger pulse probe - it will harm more than benefit.¡±

Some tips for people using HOME OXYGENATION/CYLINDERS if it helps:

? Target oxygen saturation of 88-92% only. It's safe and best. Do not chase 100% saturation on your finger pulse probe - it will harm more than benefit. (Also, your cylinder will last longer this way.) pic.twitter.com/X291voHLKA

¡ª Dr Kamna Kakkar (@drkamnakakkar) April 21, 2021

Also Read: Oxygen To Food: Facebook, WhatsApp Groups Offering Help For Covid-19 Care

She has also stated that doing this will also allow the cylinder to last longer. While the suggestion to not reach for 100 percent blood oxygen saturation all the time is on point (as the safe zone for blood oxygen saturation is over 96 percent), her recommendation of chasing oxygen saturation for 88 to 92 percent doesn¡¯t sit in accordance with the guidelines stipulated by US¡¯s National Institute of Health.

We recommend you consult with your physician/doctor for the appropriate Sp02 target.

Wearing the mask appropriately

Kakkar states that the patient must make sure that the mask fits snugly, ¡°Ensure that the face mask fits snug on the face and there are no leakages around the nose and cheeks. Use proper sized mask. Press metal clip to seal the mask against the nose. Tighten straps to seal the mask against the cheeks.¡± According to Kakkar, this will also ensure the cylinder will last longer.

Reuters

Look out for warning signs

She has also asked people who are taking care of the patient to look out for signs of danger, that would require immediate hospital care. The first is if the patient is struggling despite being on oxygen. Second, if their lips and tongue are turning darker than usual.

? Keep an eye on danger signs when the patient might need urgent hospital care immediately. These are:
1. Patient still seems struggling despite giving oxygen.
2. Lips, tongue turning dark.
3. Patient fainting/not waking up.
4. Patient unable to eat or drink or sit up. pic.twitter.com/ipOH5kgQhP

¡ª Dr Kamna Kakkar (@drkamnakakkar) April 21, 2021

Third, if the patient is fainting or unable to wake up and fourth if the patient is unable to eat or drink or even sit up.

Also Read: How People Over Age 18 Can Register For COVID-19 Vaccination In India

Using prone positioning to improve oxygen flow

Kakkar recommends patients to sleep on their tummy for as much time as possible to enable better flow of oxygen, ¡°Use 'prone positioning' to improve your oxygen. Eat breakfast, lie on your back for 2 hours. Then, lie on your tummy for 2 hours or more. When tired in between, lie on your sides. Again, eat your lunch, continue the same process. The more you lie on your tummy, the better.¡±

Keeping flammable substances away from the patient¡¯s room

This one is a no brainer, but for people who didn¡¯t know, Kakkar has warned not to light matches, cigarettes or use any spark-producing appliance in the patient¡¯s room when the oxygen cylinder is being. This is because pure oxygen in the cylinders are highly combustible and can result in an uncontrollable fire.

Disclaimer: While there have been several different types of treatments being given to COVID-19 patients across the world, there isn¡¯t any one drug that has worked as a sure-shot treatment yet. Don¡¯t self medicate and always consult your doctor or medical health professional for any symptoms.