Novel strategies for delivering oxygen: reservoir cannula, demand flow, and transtracheal oxygen administration

Oxygen-conserving devices can decrease costs because less oxygen is used. However, they may also add costs due to the more complex equipment involved (ie, device and catheter replacement). Oxygen is relatively expensive. To decrease the cost of oxygen therapy, conserving devices must decrease the frequency of home deliveries and/or the number of cylinders used. By promoting mobility and improving adherence to continuous oxygen therapy, oxygen-conserving systems may increase the amount of oxygen used, thus offsetting savings. It is shortsighted to focus only on reducing the costs of oxygen administration. Attention also needs to be directed to patient outcomes such as functional status, use of healthcare services, and quality of life.