The importance of knowing the home conditions of patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy

Abstract

PurposeLong-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is one of the main treatments for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients receiving LTOT may have less than optimal home conditions and this may interfere with treatment. The objective of this study was, through home visits, to identify the characteristics of patients receiving LTOT and to develop knowledge regarding the home environments of these patients.MethodsNinety-seven patients with a mean age of 69 plus or minus 10.5 years were evaluated. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive analysis. Data were collected during an initial home visit, using a questionnaire standardized for the study. The results were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsSeventy-five percent of the patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 11% were active smokers. The patients’ mean pulse oximetry values were 85.9% plus or minus 4.7% on room air and 92% plus or minus 3.9% on the prescribed flow of oxygen. Most of the patients did not use the treatment as prescribed and most used a humidifier. The extension hose had a mean length of 5 plus or minus 3.9 m (range, 1.5–16 m). In the year prior to the visit, 26% of the patients received emergency medical care because of respiratory problems. Few patients reported engaging in leisure activities.ConclusionThe home visit allowed us to identify problems and interventions that could improve the way LTOT is used. The most common interventions related to smoking cessation, concentrator maintenance and cleaning, use of a humidifier, and adjustments of the length of the connector hose. Therefore, the home visit is a very important tool in providing comprehensive care to patients receiving LTOT, especially those who show lack of adequate progress and those who show uncertainty about the treatment method.

British Thoracic Society guidelines for home oxygen use in adults: accredited by NICE

“…Cross-sectional studies have reported ‘added value’ from reviewing patients in their homes, which included identifying and correcting problems with the concentrator, humidifier, the length of the patient's tubing and factors impacting on the patient’s usage 56 57. In a prospective 10-year case–control study in which 217 LTOT patients were randomised to ‘home care’ (defined as 6-monthly hospital appointments and 2–3-monthly home visits) or standard care (management by hospital physician only), home care decreased exacerbation rates 58.…”

‘It is not going to change his life but it has picked him up’: a qualitative study of perspectives on long term oxygen therapy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…A small number of studies across a range of countries have used qualitative methods to explore the lived experience of people with COPD and their careers. Participants report physical limitations caused by their condition [9-11] causing reductions in meaningful activities [9,10,12,13] leading to reductions in social participation [9,12] and an increased feeling of dependency on their family and/or caregivers [14,15]. Depressive symptoms are also commonly reported [10,11].…”

Community Physician-Guided Long-Term Domiciliary Oxygen Therapy Combined With Conventional Therapy in Stage IV COPD Patients

“…Domiciliary oxygen therapy has become an important therapeutic measure in community-based rehabilitation for COPD patients (Godoy, Tanni, Hernandez, & Godoy, 2012). LTDOT is regarded as a therapeutic solution for COPD patients.…”