Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation
Published on: December 5, 2025
Economic evaluation of long-term oxygen therapy: 24 hours versus 15 hours per day in severe hypoxemia-the REDOX trial
Richard Ssegonja1,2, Josefin Sundh3, Anders Andersson4,5
1Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy, and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Sweden, Uppsala.
Rationale:
Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) given for at least 15 hours/day improves survival in patients with severe chronic hypoxemia. However, the recent REDOX trial showed that LTOT prescribed for 24 hours/day was not superior to 15 hours/day in terms of death, hospitalizations, or self-reported outcomes.
Objectives:
We aimed to examine the cost effectiveness of prescribing LTOT for 24 versus 15 hours/day.
Methods:
A cost minimization analysis of the REDOX trial data on 241 patients with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure randomized 1:1 to either LTOT 24 hours/day (n = 117) or 15 hours/day (n = 124) and followed up to 12 months. Data on medical care consumption including prescribed medication costs, specialized outpatient care, and inpatient care were retrieved from national registries. Mean differences in healthcare consumption costs (United States dollars [$], 2024 prices) between groups were analyzed using generalized linear models. The cost analysis took a healthcare payer perspective and oxygen therapy costs are presented separately as out-of-pocket payments.
Results:
During the 12 months of follow-up, patients prescribed LTOT for 24 hours/day had significantly lower mean costs for respiratory-specific medications (-$175 [95% CI, -$329 to -$29]) but higher oxygen therapy costs ($173 [95% CI, $80 to $268]), compared to patients prescribed LTOT 15 hours/day. There were no significant differences between the groups in mean specialized outpatient and inpatient care costs, total medication costs, or in overall total costs (-$4951 [95% CI, -$10 667 to $443]) but numerically favoring usage of LTOT 24 hours/day. A population-level projection shows substantial potential cumulative cost savings of $7.64 million if LTOT 24 hours/day is adopted.
Conclusions:
In addition to previously shown similar treatment efficacy, overall healthcare costs did not significantly differ between LTOT prescribed 15 hours/day and LTOT 24 hours/day. However, there is an observable numerical difference in favor of usage of LTOT 24 hours/day.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:19Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is...
01:30Administering Oxygen by Mask
Administering oxygen by mask is a common nursing intervention that provides supplemental oxygen to patients with respiratory distress or chronic lung conditions. This procedure involves delivering oxygen at a specified rate through a face mask connected to an oxygen source.
Equipment
The equipment necessary for this procedure includes:
01:23Physiological Control of Respiration
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
01:16Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...