Oxygen Therapy

1. Specialist Training Oxygen Therapy Specialist Training

2. Next Back Home Welcome… Welcome to this web based knowledge session on Oxygen Therapy. It should take you approximately 15 minutes to complete this material. How to use this pack To go to the next page, please click the button. To go to the previous page, please click the button. To go to the first page, please click the button. To display additional points on a page click the button. Additional information will be displayed in a separate font. Blue bullets indicate how many times to have to click to display all the information. Show Me Specialist Training

3. Aims & Objectives… By the end of this session you will have knowledge of: Conditions that require oxygen therapy Benefits of oxygen therapy Types of oxygen therapy Health & Safety – Fire Health & Safety – Dosage Health & Safety – Comfort Oxygen Supply Specialist Training

4. Introduction… As Prestige Nursing is expanding its specialist services you may come across service users on Oxygen Therapy. This module will give you some background to this treatment and make you aware of some of the crucial safety issues when looking after a service user that uses oxygen. Oxygen can be regarded as a type of medication, so please also refer to our eLearning module on Medication Awareness to understand your responsibilities and limitations when it comes to dealing with medicines. Specialist Training

5. Conditions that require oxygen therapy… • Oxygen is prescribed to treat the condition chronic hypoxia (low blood and tissue oxygen levels). This can be caused by a number of conditions of the lung and heart such as: • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • Chronic bronchitis • Emphysema • Severe asthma • Interstitial lung disease such as fibrosing alveolitis and asbestosis • Cystic Fibrosis • Pulmonary hypertension • Oxygen may also be prescribed to treat patients who will require oxygen for palliative care or for short burst needs. Specialist Training

6. Benefits of Oxygen Therapy… People with these health problems have to work much harder to obtain all the oxygen they need. The extra effort involved means that they can feel breathless and tired, particularly after walking or coughing. Breathing in extra oxygen will increase the amount that is absorbed in the blood and this has a beneficial effect on all the systems of the body that have suffered as a result of the lower oxygen levels. Sleep better These are the types of improvements that service users can expect in their daily life: Less breathless Better able to exercise More energy for everyday activities Feel less irritable Specialist Training

7. Benefits of Oxygen Therapy… The extra oxygen in the blood will also improve the body's functions. It will: Increase oxygen delivery to the body thus reducing the work of the heart and the strain put on it Reduce cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beats) Prevent excessive red blood cell production that would result in thicker blood and poorer flow through all blood vessels Reduce the deterioration of pulmonary haemodynamics (blood flow to the lungs) Improve function of all the major organs due to better oxygen delivery Specialist Training

8. Types of Oxygen Therapy… Be aware however, that oxygen therapy is not necessarily right for everyone with a heart or lung condition. A specialist will assess the person to determine whether oxygen therapy is appropriate. It is not the same as being on a ventilator as it does not control when the person inhales and exhales. So what are the different types of oxygen service? Oxygen can be obtained from compressed oxygen cylinders, liquid oxygen in cylinders or from an oxygen concentrator machine, which extracts oxygen from the air. Oxygen for short periods traditionally used to relieve breathlessness and for palliative care will usually be supplied via oxygen cylinders. Specialist Training Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

9. Types of Oxygen Therapy… For people who have been shown to benefit from oxygen for a significant number of hours a day, often taken whilst asleep, oxygen concentrator machines are convenient and ensure that service users have a source of oxygen that never runs out. The Supplier is responsible for providing an oxygen delivery system that meets the clinical needs of the service user. This would have been set out on the order form by the clinician. The form does not normally indicate a specific mode of delivery or item of oxygen equipment, although the clinician may indicate a requirement for a conserving device, specific nasal cannulae or mask, or a humidifier. There are four companies in England and Wales that can supply oxygen. Specialist Training Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

10. Health & Safety - Fire… Let’s now look at some of the most important aspects that you, as a care worker, must consider when looking after somebody who is on oxygen therapy. There are some very important Health and Safety issues that you must remember. Firstly and very importantly, oxygen makes materials burn much more vigorously than normal air. Therefore, never ever let your service user or anybody else smoke while they are using their oxygen equipment or for up to 30 minutes afterwards. Equally your service user should not be using the equipment near open fires or naked flames. Specialist Training Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

11. Health & Safety - Fire… When storing oxygen ensure that the containers are kept away from sources of heat and are not stored near flammable materials, such as paint or heating gas cylinders. Also, keep the containers away from large quantities of combustible materials, such as paper or cardboard. Materials which become enriched with oxygen from leaks from the oxygen system will burn very vigorously if ignited. Therefore, medical oxygen should only be used in a well ventilated area and internal door should be kept open while the oxygen cylinder is in use. Specialist Training Image: nuttakit/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

12. Health & Safety - Fire… Now that you know that oxygen enrichment can have disastrous effects, can you think of other things that you should look out for? Show Me Never allow your service user to place their oxygen equipment near curtains or cover them with clothing or other material objects, as this will restrict air circulation. Never leave the cannula or mask on the bed or in the chair whilst the oxygen is being supplied. Ensure that when your service user is not using their oxygen that the supply system is turned off. Never let your service user use or carry the portable vessel under any clothing. Specialist Training

13. Health & Safety - Fire… Always follow the advice given to you about how to safely store and use cylinders or liquid vessels. To prevent oxygen from leaking, cylinders must be stored either laid down or secured upright to prevent them falling over. Liquid reservoir vessels must be stored upright. When transporting oxygen in a car, make sure that the cylinders or vessels are secured to prevent them from moving. Specialist Training Image: Renjith Krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

14. Health & Safety - Fire… If the worst happens and a fire does break out, you must be familiar with fire procedures: 1. Raise the alarm If you hear the fire alarm – make your service user safe 2. Identify the area where fire is 3. Call for help – 999 4. Tackle the fire if safe to do so 5. Evacuate to an assembly point 6. Close doors and windows 7. Check everyone is out of the building 8. Go to assembly point Specialist Training Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

15. Health & Safety - Dosage… Another crucially important point that you must remember is that oxygen is prescribed by a doctor who also stipulates the dosage. Therefore, if you are working with a service user and they are experiencing breathing problems, you must not change the oxygen dosage. The dosage can only be changed by a doctor. If your service user is experiencing breathing difficulties monitor their breathing rates and patterns. Make sure that they are in a semi prone position where possible to maximise air intake. If you are concerned you must urgently ring the person stipulated in the care plan, which may be your branch manager, the district nurse or the GP. Never alter the oxygen dosage of your own accord! Specialist Training

16. Health & Safety - Comfort… When oxygen is administered the nose or mouth can get very dry, causing discomfort to your service user. You need to make sure that your service user has access to water if they require it. Also, lip salve or vaseline can be a welcome relief for dry lips. Another area to look out for is that pressure sores may develop where the tubing rubs against the service user’s skin. If the oxygen is administered via a nasal cannula pressure sores may develop on the side of the service user’s face if they sleep with the cannula attached. If you notice any pressure sores, you should monitor these and document any changes. You may also need to advise the District Nurse. Sometimes gauze swabs placed between the tubing and the skin can help protect potential sore areas. Specialist Training

17. Oxygen Supply… As a care worker you would not generally get involved in the ordering of a service user’s oxygen supply, however, you may be present when it gets delivered and may be able to help your service user to connect their supply. The tubing needs to be carefully connected and should not be longer than 15 meters as this will restrict the flow. Also ensure that it doesn’t get kinked or trapped under furniture. Help to check that there is an adequate supply of oxygen in the equipment by checking the gauge on the cylinder valve or on the vessel. Never allow the oxygen cylinder to empty completely. The cylinder valve should be closed when the supply is not in use. Specialist Training

18. Review… This module has covered some basic information about oxygen therapy. Please remember that oxygen is prescribed like medication and the dosage is stipulated by a doctor. You must not alter the dosage even if your service user is experiencing breathing difficulties. If this is the case you must urgently inform the person stipulated in the care plan, e.g. your branch manager, the district nurse, or the GP. You must also remember that oxygen can pose a fire risk and take the necessary precautions as well as reminder your service user of these. Never allow your service user or anybody else to smoke while oxygen is being administered and keep the cylinders away from heat sources or open fire. Ensure that you are familiar with fire procedures if the worst does happen. Specialist Training

19. Well done! You have completed this web based package on Oxygen Therapy. Please now complete the assessment on Oxygen Therapy. Click to exit Specialist Training