Guidelines for Home Oxygen Therapy
The United States takes first place per capita for Long Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT} at 241 per 100,000 people, this is four times higher than Canada, the number two contender. Long Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) renders a significantly better quality of life for patients suffering from hypoxia (a below normal concentration of oxygen in the body). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) leads the way as the cause of illness, disability and death in patients with this condition.
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Definition
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Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT) is the administration of oxygen to a patient, at home, at a concentration greater than ambient air (the gaseous mixture that makes up the atmosphere). Home oxygen therapy treatment is given to prevent symptoms of hypoxia such air hunger, shortness of breath and cyanosis (blue discoloration of the skin) caused by conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and lung cancer.
Guidelines for Qualification for HOT
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To get HOT it must be considered medically necessary for your condition. Medically necessary conditions are classified in three categories: chronic hypoxia (CH), acute hypoxia (AH) and diagnoses unrelated to hypoxia such as cluster headaches. Two CH conditions are Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis. Two AH conditions are pneumonia and bronchitis. Another significant qualification for HOT is laboratory results showing presumptive evidence of hypoxia (saturation of oxygen) while breathing ambient air.
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Medicare Guidelines
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According to Solutionsforseniors.info, "to qualify for in-home therapy under Medicare, two conditions must be met: Oxygen therapy must be medically necessary for the treatment of your medical condition and your doctor must give you a written order for oxygen therapy." Home oxygen therapy will be delivered to your home in any of three types of systems: compressed tanks, liquid oxygen and oxygen concentrators.
Safety Guidelines
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Do not smoke or have others smoke around you while you are using oxygen. Post "no smoking" signs in your vicinity and signs denoting "oxygen is in use" for your safety and the safety of others. Have a fire extinguisher available. Inform your local fire department that you use oxygen in the home. Inform the electric company if you use an oxygen concentrator to get priority status if there should be a power failure.
Warning
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Seek immediate medical attention for any of the following symptoms: Anxiety, confusion and restlessness or for any feelings of illness, slow, shallow or difficult breathing. In addition seek immediate medical attention for any cyanosis (blue coloration) of the lips or fingernails.
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