Practical Help
Oxgyen
If you have pulmonary fibrosis you may need extra oxygen to supplement the oxygen in the air. Oxygen is a gas vital to every cell in our bodies. When we breathe we take in oxygen, but a person with a lung disease, such as IPF, may have to make an extra effort to get the oxygen they need from the air causing breathlessness and tiredness. Breathing air with a higher concentration of oxygen can reduce these symptoms.
If it is appropriate for you, your consultant will prescribe the level of supplementary oxygen you need and also advise you on how long you need to use it each day.
Usually the medical or nursing team will make the arrangements for the oxygen equipment to be delivered to your home. The engineer will explain to you, or to a friend or relative, how to use it and will be available to answer any questions you may have.
OXYGEN EQUIPMENT
The equipment consists of an oxygen concentrator, oxygen cylinders and portable oxygen.
The oxygen concentrator, which runs off the mains, filters oxygen from room air. This oxygen is then delivered by plastic tubing to a mask or nasal cannula – a small tube for breathing oxygen in through the nose. The engineer will discuss with you the length of tubing you will need. You will also be supplied with cannulae on a regular basis. The cannula should be replaced every month and the prongs washed daily in hot soapy water.
Additionally if you wish you can ask for a humidifier, which will make the oxygen less dry in the nasal area. The humidifier must be emptied and cleaned each day in hot soapy water and rinsed thoroughly to prevent bacterial contamination.
Your concentrator should be monitored and maintained regularly by your supplier to make sure it is always operating effectively
Ask your supplier for a spare dust filter for the concentrator, so that this can be used when the other is being cleaned.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
The concentrator is about the size of a portable heater and if you are using it for extended periods each day you will probably notice a rise in you electricity bills! It might be worth contacting your local health centre to see if there is any reimbursement scheme for this extra cost in your local area.
The Electricity Supply Board should be notified if you are dependent on home oxygen via an electrical concentrator. You can register your personal details with the ESB by completing a Priority Support Registration Form. This information is confidential and will enable the ESB to identify customers who are dependent on electrically powered medical equipment and who are vulnerable to supply interruption. In the case of loss of electricity, the ESB will then prioritise your local area for electrical power restoration.In the case of planned electrical interruption, the ESB will contact priority support customers to inform them in advance of the date and the likely duration of the disription of the electricity supply.
Contact ESB Customer Supply Tel: 1850 372 372.
A back up oxygen cylinder will be supplied with the concentrator for use in case of an emergency such as a power failure or a concentrator malfunction. Again the engineer will show you how to use this.
PORTABLE OXYGEN
You will also be supplied with portable oxygen cylinders for use when you want to get out and about, go to work, do some shopping, visit friends or do a little gardening. A bag is supplied with the portable cylinders so it can be carried on your shoulder or worn as a back pack.
It is useful to time yourself to establish how long it takes you to consume a cylinder of oxygen, so that you will know how many cylinders to bring with you when you go out.
It is a good idea to ALWAYS bring more than one portable cylinder out with you if you are going anywhere by car as, for example, you could get stuck in a traffic jam.
You should also carry a replacement battery for the conserver with you when you are using portable oxygen.
SUPPLIERS
The two main suppliers of medical oxygen are;
- AIR PRODUCTS IRELAND LTD. TEL: 01-809 1800 or 1850 240 202.
- BOC VITALAIR TEL: 09064-70910 or 1890 220 202.
OXYGEN COSTS
Most of the cost of the oxygen prescribed for you will be covered by the DRUGS PAYMENT SCHEME. This scheme ensures that no individual or family need pay more than €90 per month on prescription medicines including oxygen.
Your local HSE centre will advise you how to claim for this.
TRAVELLING WITH OXYGEN
It is possible to go on holiday even if you are dependent on medical oxygen.
If you are travelling within Ireland, your oxygen supplier will try to arrange delivery of oxygen equipment to most locations, once proper notice is given. Contact your oxygen supplier at least 2-3 weeks before travelling.
If you are travelling abroad your oxygen supplier should be able to help you organise this.
HOLIOX is a service provided by Air Products UK. This is a privately run service that operates in the countries in which Air Products provides home oxygen. If Air Products do not provide oxygen directly they can provide a list of reputable oxygen suppliers in the country you are going to.
HOLIOX can be contacted at 0044 1270 614 360.
BOC VITALAIR can facilitate the oxygen requirements of patients travelling to the UK, through their sister company, BOC UK. If you are travelling further afield they can supply you with a list of reputable oxygen supply companies in other countries.
AIR TRAVEL
Most airlines can supply oxygen on board the aircraft, but there is usually a fee.
Contact the airline to check the availability and cost of oxygen before you book. Also check if they have restrictions on carrying oxygen on board the aircraft.
Order oxygen when you are booking your flight. You will have to provide a prescription from your doctor to do this.