CPAP with oxygen

[DoriC]

Do not....do not.....do not place the adapter between the humidifier and the hose, the amount of oxygen you will get from that configuration will be negligible. Place the connector between you mask and your hose, or if you have a mask with a connection (ie. Respironics comfort gel full, Resmed Quattro) you can plug the oxygen hose directly into the mask. By placing the connection at the mask you maximize the amount of oxygen delivered to you AND it lessens the chance of oxygen backup into the PAP device.

Our DME set up the adapter from the humidifier to the hose, he said there was too much chance of it separating at the mask end when turning and other movement during the night. But I see your point so do you think that's a problem? My husband uses the Resmed Quattro Full Face but I'm not sure what you mean by the "connection". He uses 2L O2. Thanks.

[mollete]

I see i'm going to have to make a Youtube video to prove this one.....who knows maybe Snopes.com will even pick this one up!!!

Looking forward to it because I also disagree. The O2 flow presiption is based on results (a nocturnal oximetry), so a continued low baseline oxygen saturation would be addressed by simply increasing O2. Placing the oxygen at the machine assures better mixing and more consistent FIO2. Depending on the flow characteristics of the mask, the FIO2 could be better, worse, or inconsistent (oxygen could be pooled during expiration, resulting in a higher than anticipated FIO2, or blown out entirely in the case of a leak (I have heard anecdotal reports that the exhalation ports of some masks are not particularly friendly to placing the supplemental oxygen at the mask, but I cannot confirm this)).

[greatunclebill]

also consider this. dme's are connecting these simple adapters to the humidifier. dme's are financially liable for what they are doing and if they have no problem with putting it at the humidifier and not having a backwash blocker in it, why should i? i don't recall any lawsuits for dme's hooking it up wrong and i don't recall any fires from o2 going back in the machine because of the valve or because of turning things on in the wrong sequence. my wife's o2 is low without o2. it is back to normal with the adapter hooked at the humidifier as demonstrated with the overnite o2 test. that's the only demonstration i need to see. to me, the how to hook the o2 arguments are much like humidifier water choice and how to clean the mask. no right or wrong answer.

[khauser]

I don't understand why it would matter where you insert the O2 in to the stream. O2 isn't going to leak from the hose, right? It's going to reach your nose either way. The only place where I can envision leakage is at the mask's leak port, and that would happen regardless of whether you connect O2 at machine or mask end of hose.

What am I missing???

[DoriC]

I see i'm going to have to make a Youtube video to prove this one.....who knows maybe Snopes.com will even pick this one up!!!

Looking forward to it because I also disagree. The O2 flow presiption is based on results (a nocturnal oximetry), so a continued low baseline oxygen saturation would be addressed by simply increasing O2. Placing the oxygen at the machine assures better mixing and more consistent FIO2. Depending on the flow characteristics of the mask, the FIO2 could be better, worse, or inconsistent (oxygen could be pooled during expiration, resulting in a higher than anticipated FIO2, or blown out entirely in the case of a leak (I have heard anecdotal reports that the exhalation ports of some masks are not particularly friendly to placing the supplemental oxygen at the mask, but I cannot confirm this)).

Whew, thanks Mollete! I feel better now. Thanks to Khauser and GreatUncleBill too!

[akcpapguy]

Yopu guys are absolutely right, continue on as you have been please.

[Woody]

How low does your 02 need to be for your Dr. to feel that 02 needs to be added ?

[DoriC]

How low does your 02 need to be for your Dr. to feel that 02 needs to be added ?

Our Dr said 88 or below and I think it has to be that low to qualify for Medicare to supply the 02.

[DoriC]

I see i'm going to have to make a Youtube video to prove this one.....who knows maybe Snopes.com will even pick this one up!!!

Looking forward to it because I also disagree. The O2 flow presiption is based on results (a nocturnal oximetry), so a continued low baseline oxygen saturation would be addressed by simply increasing O2. Placing the oxygen at the machine assures better mixing and more consistent FIO2. Depending on the flow characteristics of the mask, the FIO2 could be better, worse, or inconsistent (oxygen could be pooled during expiration, resulting in a higher than anticipated FIO2, or blown out entirely in the case of a leak (I have heard anecdotal reports that the exhalation ports of some masks are not particularly friendly to placing the supplemental oxygen at the mask, but I cannot confirm this)).

I don't think I ever asked this question in this whole year Mike's been on 02 but does the pressure have to be increased or adjusted in some way to account for the 02? The DME never mentioned anything, not surprised, so now I'm wondering? His data is a little erratic, good for awhile and then haywire, but that's nothing new. Thanks.

[greatunclebill]

I don't think I ever asked this question in this whole year Mike's been on 02 but does the pressure have to be increased or adjusted in some way to account for the 02? The DME never mentioned anything, not surprised, so now I'm wondering? His data is a little erratic, good for awhile and then haywire, but that's nothing new. Thanks.

short answer no. the o2 blends in with the o2 but doesn't change the pressure.