Oxygen Concentrator Instructions
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OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR INSTRUCTIONS

Your primary oxygen system is called an oxygen concentrator, which is electrically powered by household current. Read and follow the general instructions for home oxygen therapy, which have been provided.

Equipment Preparation: There is NO SMOKING in the area where the oxygen is in use. Oxygen DOES NOT EXPLODE but helps combustion.

  1. Place your oxygen concentrator away from heat sources, open flames, smoking materials and out of direct sunlight.
  2. Plug in the power cord.
  3. If using a water bottle, attach as instructed and ensure that all connections are secure in order to prevent leaks.
  4. Connect the small diameter tubing from your mask, cannula, etc., onto the water bottle nipple. If using a green nipple, connect your oxygen tubing to this adapter.
  5. Turn the ON/OFF switch to the ON position. You will hear a shrill alarm for approximately 5-20 seconds. This is normal whenever the unit is switched on.
  6. Set the flow control knob to liters per minute.
  7. Attach the mask, cannula, etc., to your face.

 

The Amount of Oxygen your Doctor has ordered is: LPM

Alarms: You will hear the shrill alarm whenever:

  1. The ON/OFF switch is switched to ON and the power cord is plugged in (alarm sounds for 5-20 seconds). This is normal.
  2. The ON/OFF switch is switched to ON and the power cord is not plugged in. The alarm will sound continuously. Simply plug in the power cord.
  3. If there is a household electrical power failure, the alarm will sound continuously. Turn the switch on the machine to OFF. When your power comes back on, turn your machine back on. Convert to your back up cylinder and call Sparrow Regional Medical Supply.
  4. If there is a mechanical failure of the unit, the alarm will be heard continuously and the alarm light will be lit. Convert to your back up cylinder (see below) and call Sparrow Regional Medical Supply.

 

CONVERSION TO EMERGENCY BACK-UP CYLINDER

  1. Locate your emergency use cylinder. It will be stored upright in a stand.
  2. Determine whether or not your currently used tubing will easily reach the cylinder. If it doesn't, you can either a) add more tubing as previously shown, or b) if a small cylinder, simply move it closer to your location.
  3. If your cylinder does not have a regulator on it, you will need to use the regulator from your portable system cylinder (if desired, you can use the contents of this cylinder first until emptied). This has been previously demonstrated for you.
  4. You will need to turn on the emergency cylinder. For large, tall cylinders this is done by turning the wheel on the top of the cylinder counter-clockwise. For small cylinder this is done with a cylinder wrench, again turning counter-clockwise.
  5. Now connect your oxygen tubing to the adaptor on the regulator and adjust the flow meter to your prescribed liter flow as previously demonstrated.
  6. If your concentrator is not working due to either a mechanical failure or electrical outage, take the opportunity to call us so that we will be aware of the problem. At this time we can arrange for either replacement of the machine, or delivery of more cylinders if required.
  7. When in doubt, please call us - that's what we're here for.

THINGS TO DO DAILY:

  1. WIPE YOUR CANNULA OFF
  2. CHECK THE AIR – INTAKE FILTER LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CONCENTRATOR FOR DUST. IF IT IS DUSTY, REMOVE AND RINSE IT WITH WARM RUNNING WATER. DRY BETWEEN CLEAN TOWELS OR SHAKE EXCESS WATER OFF AND ALLOW TO AIR DRY. DO NOT REPLACE WHILE STILL WET.

 

TO DO WEEKLY:

  1. REPLACE THE PREFILLED HUMIDIFIER BOTTLE WITH A NEW ONE, IF YOU ARE USING ADDED HUMIDITY
  2. THROW AWAY THE NASAL CANNULA AND PUT ON A NEW ONE.

 

TO DO MONTHLY:

  1. THROW AWAY THE OXYGEN TUBING AND PUT ON A NEW ONE. (YOU CAN TELL THE TUBING FROM THE CANNULA BY LOOKING AT THE ENDS. THE CANNUAL HAS PRONGS FOR YOUR NOSE – THE TUBING DOES NOT.

 

TAKING CARE OF PROBLEMS – NO FLOW OR LOW FLOW:

  1. BE SURE THAT THE POWER CORD IS PLUGGED IN.
  2.  BE SURE THAT THE ON/OFF SWITCH IS “ON”
  3. LOOK AT THE FLOWRATE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT LITER FLOW
  4. EXAMINE THE O2 TUBING. MAKE SURE IT IS NOT PINCHED, OR BENT. THIS CAN HAPPEN UNDER WHEELS OR FURNITURE.
  5. TRY ANOTHER ELECTRICAL OUTLET.
  6. IF YOU ARE USING A HUMIDIFIER BOTTLE, CHECK TO SEE IF:

 

A. THE BOTTLE IS SNUGLY CONNECTED TO THE OUTLET STEM

B. THE CANNULA IS ATTACHED TIGHTLY TO THE OUTLET STEM ON THE HUMIDIFIER BOTTLE

C. THE O2 TUBING DOES NOT HAVE WATER IN IT. IF IT DOES, REPLACT IT WITH A NEW ONE.

 

MORE THINGS TO REMEMBER:

  1. DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING LIQUID ON THE TOP OF THE UNIT.
  2. DO NOT APPLY ALCOHOL, OIL, GREASE, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLES TO ANY PART OF THE MACHINE, PATIENT, OR OXYGEN DELIVERY SYTEM. THESE MATERIALS ARE A FIRE HAZARD.
  3. KEEP THE OXYGEN SYSTEM IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA, AWAY FROM DRAPERIES AND WALLS. DO NOT PLACE CONCENTRATOR IN A CLOSET.
  4. DO NOT PUT OXYGEN TANKS IN CLOSETS, OR LEAVE THEM UNSECURED

 

(Rev 1/07) Page 2 of 2