New guidelines for domiciliary oxygen treatment have been published by the Royal College of Physicians. The evidence-based report, “Domiciliary oxygen therapy services”, makes recommendations for oxygen use in patients at and away from home. The Royal College of Physicians says that around 18,000 patients benefit from oxygen therapy each year in the UK. However, it estimates that a further 30 to 50 per cent more patients who might benefit from oxygen therapy are not currently receiving it. This fact, together with a variability in prescribing habits, poor adherence to present guidelines and a lack of organised follow-up prompted the Department of Health to fund the new report.
The guidelines describe indications for long-term, ambulatory (using portable equipment) and short-burst oxygen therapy. They include recommendations for the use of oxygen therapy for a number of indications, including paediatric treatment. Education of both patients and health care workers, and patient follow-up are covered. The types of home oxygen therapy available and special considerations of travelling for patients on domiciliary oxygen therapy are also discussed. The guidelines are aimed at all health care professionals, with some information for patients.
Domiciliary oxygen therapy services; available from the Royal College of Physicians publications department (tel 020 7935 1174, ext 358), price £10.50.