The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7351 p640
28 May 2005

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COPD patients need more advice on using home oxygen

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be using oxygen inappropriately, a UK study presented at the American Thoracic Society’s annual meeting shows.

The study revealed that one in six of the 45 patients questioned did not know why they had been prescribed oxygen.

The nurses carrying out the study checked the setting for oxygen delivery and found that 15 per cent were using an incorrect flow rate. One in three (33 per cent) were using their oxygen for less than the recommended 15 hours per day. There were also safety issues, with 40 per cent being unaware of fire risks such as avoiding smoking near oxygen.