Patient-oxygen dissociation curves: surveying the spectrum of oxygen-delivery methods

To describe the spectrum of oxygen-delivery methods.

Clinical audit.

Medical wards of a tertiary referral teaching hospital in August 2004.

98 medical patients receiving supplemental oxygen.

Of the 98 patients, 40 were not receiving oxygen by customary methods. In classifying the patterns of oxygen delivery, we describe the transcephalic, submental, and (inadvertent) rectal approaches, as well as lachrymal insufflation and the "Venturi cravat". We also describe novel oxygen-weaning methods, including the half-wean, reverse wean, and placebo wean.

Many patients receive oxygen by unconventional methods. We postulate that this is evidence of a renewed interest in the historical routes of oxygen delivery.