Comparison of an oxygen concentrator and wall oxygen in the assessment of patients undergoing long term oxygen therapy assessment

Long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is a recognised management option for hypoxaemic patients with chronic respiratory disease. Formal assessment is required which is usually conducted in the hospital and performed on piped oxygen to ensure correction of the hypoxaemia. However, an oxygen concentrator is the standard oxygen source for the patient at home who requires LTOT. The oxygen concentration delivered is lower from a concentrator than piped oxygen. Here, we present a study of ten hypoxaemic patients using both delivery sources in a cross-over design. The partial pressure of oxygen was lower in patients when receiving oxygen from a concentrator, p < 0.05. This encourages the Clinician to consider formal assessments on an oxygen concentrator in order to ensure that the hypoxaemia will be corrected when they are prescribed a concentrator for home use.