Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen Concentrators
Concentrators provide a reliable source of supply for people who require Oxygen in their home. They are mechanical devices which operate from the mains supply, and function by filtering room air to produce approximately 93% pure Oxygen. Oxygen
A typical Oxygen concentrator is approximately 16" wide by 14" deep and is 28" high. (41cm x 36cm x 71 cm). The weight is 50 lbs (22.7 kgs).
All concentrators have wheels on the base to facilitate movement, (although once installed in the home there is rarely a need to change their location.) Standard concentrators deliver a range of flows from 1 to 5 litres/min. However, machines are available to provide up to 10 litres/min for high demand users, or, for lower flow rates, as little as 0.1 litres/min.
Prescribing Oxygen Concentrators
Because Oxygen is classed as medicinal product, Oxygen Concentrators can only be prescribed by a Medical Practitioner.
An assessment will be made by a Respiratory or Paediatric Consultant at a local hospital. They will establish the flow of Oxygen needed (specified in litres/min) and the duration (in hours per day) for which Oxygen needs to be in use.
This is based on blood oxygen measurements. More complex methods are occasionally used, including analysis of blood samples, exercise tests, or breathing special mixtures of respiratory gases.
When the assessment has been completed, a request is sent to Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) to progress the installation of the equipment.
The Installation Process
Upon receipt of the Concentrator request, HFS will record the relevant details, then forward the information to Dolby Medical.
Dolby are contracted to provide Domiciliary Oxygen services throughout Scotland, and are responsible for the ongoing servicing, maintenance and repair of concentrators in addition to the initial supply.
Upon receipt of an install request, Dolby will contact the patient and/or carer to arrange a suitable date on which to deliver the equipment. A risk assessment is undertaken to establish that the premises are suitable and that the patient/carer is able to operate the concentrator. An appropriate location will be agreed within the home in which to place the equipment. It is then connected to the mains supply and the user trained in it's operation.
The engineer will set the concentrator to the prescribed flow rate. It is always emphasised that this should not be changed except upon the authority of a medical practitioner, as too much Oxygen can potentially be as detrimental to one's health as too little. In addition to the user manuals for the concentrator, quick reference cards are provided, and an Oxygen Therapy Brochure. This provides comprehensive information not just relating to concentrators, but to all aspects of Oxygen Therapy.
We also provide accessories for the concentrator such as Nasal Cannulae, facemasks, humidifiers and tubing. As a backup in case of machine failure, or power outage, a Compressed Oxygen cylinder is provided, set up to provide the flow rate as per patient’s prescription.
Ongoing Support
A service engineer will call on a three monthly basis to inspect the machine and verify that it is operating to the required specification. At the same time, a reading is taken to document the hours that the concentrator has been running. This is communicated back to HFS and a refund of the electricity costs is processed, thus ensuring that the patient does not bear the costs of operating the machine.
We also have a Freephone telephone number in operation 24 hours/day, 365 days per year. The caller receives a personal response to their enquiry, and Dolby is fully committed to stringent timescales in which to resolve any issues arising.