Acceptability of oxygen concentrators: the patient's view

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Respiratory Medicine
• Patient Quality of Life

Background:

• Home oxygen therapy is crucial for managing chronic respiratory conditions.
• Oxygen concentrators offer a continuous supply of supplemental oxygen.
• Assessing patient lifestyle impact is vital for treatment adherence and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of oxygen concentrator installation on patient lifestyle.
• To evaluate patient-reported outcomes regarding well-being, breathing, mobility, and sleep.
• To identify areas for improvement in oxygen concentrator use and patient recommendations.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study was conducted with 30 patients across two health districts.
• Patients' experiences with oxygen concentrators were assessed regarding lifestyle changes and device usability.
• Data on general well-being, respiratory symptoms, mobility, sleep, and treatment understanding were collected.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were reported in general well-being (83%), breathing (82%), mobility (62%), and sleep patterns (52%).
• Most patients understood the long-term treatment goals (83%) and found the usage duration satisfactory.
• Challenges included single-outlet concentrators (34%) and noise concerns due to placement in common areas (70%).
• A notable percentage of patients continued to smoke (31%).

Conclusions:

• Oxygen concentrators generally improve patient lifestyle and are well-tolerated, refuting claims of restrictiveness.
• Recommendations for concentrator placement and outlet configuration need enhancement.
• Addressing smoking cessation and device-related issues can further optimize home oxygen therapy outcomes.