Home oxygen - Parents’ guide to going home with oxygen

Home oxygen assessment

An assessment will take place at your home to ensure your home environment is suitable for oxygen. This will be carried out by the community nursing team.

Before the oxygen prescription can be completed you must sign a consent form to confirm that you are happy for oxygen to be installed, then the prescription ‘Home Oxygen Order Form’ (HOOF) will be sent.

BOC the company supplying the oxygen will install the oxygen equipment required within three working days of the order being placed.

• Provide an emergency backup cylinder to your home (if you’re using an oxygen
• concentrator)
• In the event of a concentrator machine breakdown, they provide an emergency

call-out service and guarantee to be at your home within eight hours of the call out.

• Reimburse your electricity costs (if you’re using an oxygen concentrator)
• Inform the fire service
• Provide nasal cannula / oxygen tubing
• Provide a carry bag for portable oxygen cylinders

BOC will contact you by phone to arrange a convenient time to install.

BOC have a variety of different oxygen equipment available, including:

• Oxygen concentrators static
• Cylinders static
• Portable cylinders

What is an oxygen concentrator?

An oxygen concentrator is a machine operated by electricity, weighs approximately 25kg (55lb) and are 50 to 70cm (19.5 ‑ 27.5ins) high. The machine draws in air from the room atmosphere, separates the oxygen from the other gases in the air and delivers oxygen to your child. It is simple and easy to use.

Emergency backup service

An emergency backup cylinder will be provided and if there are any problems with the oxygen concentrator, parents are advised to use the backup supply and contact the company.

Further information for parents and carers

The concentrator can be slightly noisy. If possible it should not be installed in the bedroom as the noise may disturb the family during the night. The concentrator will only work if there is an electricity supply. You need to inform your electricity supplier that your child requires oxygen, so that your supply is always given priority.

Static oxygen cylinders

These are mainly used as backup for the concentrator and are simple and effective.

Portable oxygen cylinders

If your child requires oxygen at night and during the day, you will require portable oxygen cylinders so that you can go out. These cylinders are lightweight.

The table overleaf gives an overview of nominal oxygen cylinder duration versus different oxygen flow rates. This will give you an indication of how long you can expect an oxygen cylinder to last and to gauge when it will need replacing. If you are concerned about how to use the table, please contact BOC customer service on 0800 136603 for advice.

Nasal cannula

Nasal cannulas are used to deliver a low to moderate concentration of oxygen and are easily applied as long as your child’s nasal passages are open. Eating, talking and coughing are all possible. You are advised to change the nasal cannula every month. The small tubes should be soft and pliable and to avoid soreness around the nose they should be inspected regularly. If they do become blocked with mucus or become hard or discoloured, they should be discarded and a new set used. The use of petroleum-based creams (for example, Vaseline) around the nose should be avoided, as these react with oxygen and may cause soreness. Water-based creams such as E45 or KY jelly can be used if required.

Oxygen cylinder duration chart (opens in a new tab)

Nasal cannulas are not available on prescription but are supplied by BOC (the oxygen company).

Use the customer service helpline to order more and they will send them out to you by post.

There are four different sizes of nasal cannula:

1. Neonatal
2. Infant
3. Paediatric
4. Adult

Oxygen safety

Oxygen is a colourless and odourless gas, which is slightly heavier than air. The presence of oxygen within a building can increase the risk of fire. Oxygen itself is not flammable but may support and accelerate combustion and cause substances to ignite more easily and burn more fiercely.

Here are a few simple precautions that are needed when using oxygen at home.

Do not:

• Smoke near any oxygen equipment.
• Use the equipment near a fire or naked flames.
• Use grease or oil to lubricate or to come into contact with the oxygen cylinders, liquid oxygen, valves or fittings.
• Handle equipment with greasy hands.
• Store oxygen cylinders in the same place as paint, petrol, and paraffin, heating gas or other flammable materials.
• Let children play or untrained persons tamper with the oxygen equipment.
• Hang clothes over the concentrator or oxygen cylinders.

House insurance

Inform your house building / contents insurance company that oxygen equipment has been installed in your home.

Car insurance

You are advised to tell your car insurance company that you will be carrying portable oxygen equipment in your vehicle.

Holidays in England and Wales

If you are planning a holiday, BOC provide a free holiday oxygen service in England and Wales.

If you are going outside the BOC contracted area, then BOC will contact the specific oxygen company for that area and oxygen can still be supplied. Be aware that if you are supplied by another oxygen company then the equipment may vary slightly.

What you need to do:

• Contact your nurse specialist.
• Ensure you give plenty of notice (preferably four weeks)
• They will organise a repeat ‘Home Oxygen Order Form’ (HOOF) with details of your holiday address, travel dates etc.
• BOC will contact you to confirm arrangements.
• If you are staying in a hotel, guesthouse or caravan you need to inform the owners of the holiday destination that your child is oxygen dependent (for insurance purposes) and tell them that oxygen equipment will be used.

Holidays abroad

There is a cost for oxygen provision abroad.

More information is available from :

Department of Health travel advice on 0845 6062030 or NHS Health Care Abroad (opens in a new tab)

British Lung Foundation on 03000 030 555 or Asthma + Lung UK (opens in a new tab)
Ask for a copy of their booklet ‘Going on Holiday with a Lung Condition’

BOC customer services- 0800 136603