[Home oxygen therapy: nursing care]

The authors present a brief historical summary of the use of oxygen therapy in a patient's home from its start in 1970 to the present time, analyzing the controversies which have developed and the interest in oxygen therapy in a patient's home. For a review of the indications, initial evaluation, requirements and dose of this treatment, one should consult the article written by these authors published in Revista Rol de Enfermeria 2000; 23(4):257-261. In continuation, the authors explain the main nursing care which a patient receiving oxygen therapy at home requires, the circumstances which can compromise its efficiency, its secondary effects and complications, and the follow-up that is necessary to carry out on patients using this therapy.