Home Oxygen Therapy
Doctors prescribe oxygen to help decrease the amount of work needed to breathe, and to
decrease and sometimes prevent problems with the heart. Oxygen may be prescribed for the
following conditions:
 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia or BPD (babies who are born premature who require
oxygen when they go home from the hospital)—also called chronic lung disease
 Congenital heart disease
 Cystic fibrosis
 Tracheostomies/home ventilation/CPAP/BIPAP
Before going home from the hospital your doctor will measure the level of oxygen in your
child’s blood by either a blood sample or using a finger probe pulse oximeter. This will give
information about how much oxygen your child needs. Oxygen flow is measured in liters
per minute (l/m or lpm.) Your doctor will write a prescription spelling out how
much oxygen your child needs per minute (flow rate) at home.
Before Your Child Comes Home
Let people know you have a child home on oxygen.
 Contact:
Local fire department or station.
The gas, electric and telephone companies.
Neighbors and relatives (in case you or your children need help in an emergency).
 Post “no smoking” signs on the front door and inside the house.
 Make sure you have a smoke detector that works.
Traveling With Oxygen
 Talk with your doctor before flying or visiting areas of high elevation (mountains).
 Be sure you have enough oxygen with you for your child any time you leave your home.
Ask your oxygen supplier how to estimate how long the cylinder(s) will last.
 Keep your oxygen supplier’s phone number handy for any questions.
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Approved by MCHLB Patient/Family
Education Committee
Making Your Home Safe
Oxygen by itself is nonflammable, but it supports combustion; in other words it makes fires burn
faster and hotter.
 Absolutely no smoking inside the house or car when a child with oxygen is present. Avoid
exposing your child to second hand smoke.
 Keep the oxygen away from heat sources, sparks or flames (i.e. birthday candles).
 Keep petroleum based products (i.e. Vaseline®, petroleum jelly, alcohol) away from oxygen
and avoid using these products on your child.
 Make sure the oxygen tubing does not get tangled or wrapped up around child’s neck, and
make sure oxygen tubing is placed to prevent tripping or disconnecting.
 Avoid toys that spark.
Oxygen Cylinder Safety
 Store oxygen cylinders in an upright cylinder stand.
 Cylinders should be secured while in storage.
 Avoid dragging or sliding cylinders, even for short distances.
 Never drop cylinders or permit them to strike each other violently.
 Secure cylinders upright in the car (i.e. bungi cords work well).
 Avoid exposure of cylinders in direct sunlight for prolonged times.
Checking Your Child’s Skin
 Check your child’s skin every day where the skin has contact with the oxygen tubing (nasal
cannula) for any signs of skin irritation or pressure sores. This includes the nose, cheeks and
behind both ears.
 Skin irritation or pressure sores can be painful, so it is important to check your child’s skin
every day.
 Discuss this with your health care provider so that a plan for comfort and reducing skin
problems may be provided.