ABSTRACT
COPD is a growing global threat considering its increasing prevalence, morbidity and mortality. The only modality of treatment that has been proven to alter the late course of this disease is the long term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Considering that an increasing number of COPD patients are getting a prescription of LTOT, this study was done to recognize the common barriers that prevent its adequate compliance.METHODSA pre-set questionnaire was administered to patients and their caregivers regarding LTOT prescription, compliance to LTOT and reasons for their poor compliance to LTOT.RESULTS58 COPD patients included in the study completed the questionnaire. Only 12 (21.4%) patients used the recommended oxygen for more than 15 hours per day to give them the therapeutic benefit. 21 (37.5%) patients received recommended advice for the duration of using supplemental oxygen each day from their treating physicians. None of the patients received education about the correct use of using oxygen therapy at home.CONCLUSIONSOxygen usage among patients who have been prescribed home oxygen therapy is far from optimal, and both patient and physician related factors are responsible for it. Thus, the knowledge of major factors responsible for poor compliance of LTOT stresses upon the need for proper education of the treating physician and proper advice and counselling for this treatment modality at the time of prescription, for the patient.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In emergency rooms or intensive care units, we have shown delivery of higher fractions of oxygen promptly for respiratory or cardiac arrest patients by using resuscitating instruments, especially the resuscitator bag. Previously we studied the variables affecting the fraction of delivered oxygen (FDO2) under varying ventilating techniques and conditions. In this paper, using corrugated tubes as substitute for reservoir bag, we measured FDO2 and compared two. METHODS: We designed a special wooden box, which held the Laerdal resuscitator bag. We measured the FDO2 with or without reservoir bags and corrugated tubes at various tidal volumes, respiration rates and oxygen flows. RESULTS: With a 500 ml corrugated tube, FDO2 were higher than with a 250 ml corrugted tube but lower than with a reservoir bag. CONCLUSIONS: Corrugated tube is less effective to deliver high fractions of oxygen than the reservior bag, but it is acceptable to use corrugated tube as a substitute for a reservior bag than not to use it at all.
Subject(s)
Humans , Emergency Service, Hospital , Heart Arrest , Intensive Care Units , Oxygen , Respiratory Rate , Tidal VolumeABSTRACT
We present a case of hypoxia which occurred during the onset of general anesthesia in a small hospital. It was found that one of the oxygen tank which formed the central pipeline gas supply had been erroneously replaced by a nitrogen tank. Lack of strict observance of Compressed Gas Supply Standards by the gas supplier and the hospital personnel allowed it. We also emphasize that the oxygen analyzer should be counted as an essential monitor in every anesthesia. Oxygen analyzer detects the supply of intraoperative hypoxic gas admixture promptly and effectively.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anesthesia , Anesthesia, General , Hypoxia , Nitrogen , Oxygen , Personnel, HospitalABSTRACT
We present a case of hypoxia which occurred during the onset of general anesthesia in a small hospital. It was found that one of the oxygen tank which formed the central pipeline gas supply had been erroneously replaced by a nitrogen tank. Lack of strict observance of Compressed Gas Supply Standards by the gas supplier and the hospital personnel allowed it. We also emphasize that the oxygen analyzer should be counted as an essential monitor in every anesthesia. Oxygen analyzer detects the supply of intraoperative hypoxic gas admixture promptly and effectively.