University Teaching Trust
Being discharged from
hospital with oxygen
Turnberg Building
Respiratory Medicine
0161 206 0865
© G16071504W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, All Rights Reserved 2016.
Document for issue as handout. Unique Identifier: MED 42 (16). Review date: August 2018.
What is supplemental oxygen therapy?
What will happen at my oxygen review appointment?
Oxygen is needed to enable
the organs in the body to work
efficiently.
You may need a further
oxygen assessment
As you breathe in air, the lungs
take the oxygen from the air
and moves it into the blood
stream and then to the vital
organs in the body.
Sometimes the lungs cannot get
enough oxygen into the blood
and this can put a strain on the
heart and blood vessels and
increase fatigue from lack of
oxygen to the muscle tissues.
If the oxygen level is slightly
low, this does not usually lead
to breathlessness.
However, your medical
condition itself may cause
breathlessness. Most breathless
patients have a good oxygen
level and do not benefit from
oxygen therapy.
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As your condition improves
and your medical team begins
to plan your discharge home it
may be felt that your oxygen
levels are still slightly low
and you may be issued with a
temporary supply of oxygen to
be used at home until you are
reviewed by the Home Oxygen
Therapy Service (HOTS).
If this is required the oxygen
team will visit usually 5 to
6 weeks after your hospital
discharge and perform a simple
blood test from the lobe of
your ear. This is not painful but
may cause slight discomfort.
The blood will be tested
immediately and will show the
oxygen level in your blood.
If your blood oxygen level has
improved you will be able to
stop using your temporary
oxygen therapy.
If your blood oxygen level
remains low you may need
to continue with the oxygen
therapy. In order to improve
oxygen level and reduce the
strain on the heart and lungs,
it is sometimes necessary to use
oxygen for more than 15 hours
a day (including overnight).
This type of usage is called
LTOT (long term oxygen
therapy). This is given to
prevent complications but it
may not help the sensation of
breathlessness.
However, you might also be
given ambulatory oxygen
(oxygen on the go) to reduce
breathlessness if your oxygen
level falls to low levels during
exercise. The oxygen team will
provide further information and
advice about this.
If you do not need a further
assessment
The specialist will review your
current prescription and make
sure this is still appropriate for
your needs.
© G16071504W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2016. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: MED 42 (16). Review date: August 2018.
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My Oxygen Prescription
DO NOT alter your flow rate. This prescription is set at a safe level
for you and should only ever be changed by a specialist.
(patients prescription be written here in free text - with instructions how to use)
Do I need to take any
special precautions when
using oxygen therapy?
usually within a week to check
your progress. You will then be
visited at regular intervals.
Yes. Oxygen therapy can cause
fire if used near a naked flame.
No one should smoke anywhere
near the oxygen source even
when it is not in use.
Patient Name:
Do not use products containing
yellow paraffin.
My follow up
Do not use near any naked
flames or heat sources.
You will be seen at home for a
routine safety visit by HOTS on
What happens next?
The specialist oxygen team will
organise for oxygen equipment
to be delivered to your home.
This will be installed by a
specialist technician who will
instruct you on how to use the
equipment and provide safety
information.
You will have a formal oxygen
review by the specialist nurse on
The oxygen supplier will notify
the fire service that oxygen has
been installed at your home.
The fire service is routinely
notified when oxygen equipment
is installed in any new address.
The home oxygen therapy
service will visit you at home
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Contact details
Home Oxygen Therapy Service
0161 206 0865
© G16071504W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2016. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: MED 42 (16). Review date: August 2018.
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© G16071504W. Design Services
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
All Rights Reserved 2016
This document MUST NOT be photocopied
University Teaching Trust
Information Leaflet Control Policy:
Unique Identifier: MED 42 (16)
Review Date: August 2018
For further information on this leaflet, it’s references and sources
used, please contact 0161 206 0865.
If you need this interpreting please telephone
Copies of this information are
available in other languages
and formats upon request.
In accordance with the
Equality Act we will make
‘reasonable adjustments’
to enable individuals with
disabilities, to access this
treatment / service.
Email: [email protected]
Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy.
For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital Specialist Stop Smoking Service
on 0161 206 1779
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Stott Lane, Salford,
Manchester,
M6 8HD
If you would
like to become a
Foundation Trust
Member please visit:
If you have any suggestions
as to how this document
could be improved in the
future then please visit:
Telephone 0161 789 7373
www.srft.nhs.uk/
for-members
http://www.srft.nhs.uk/
for-patients
www.srft.nhs.uk