Continuing the cycle of care

 

MCS / At Home Medical Equipment offers a complete line of oxygen therapy equipment.  From oxygen concentrators and gaseous cylinders, to the latest in small, lightweight cylinders with an oxygen conserving device.  Let us work with your physician to provide you with the most appropriate system to meet your individual medical needs.

 

If you have low blood oxygen levels, breathing extra oxygen can help you feel better and lead to a longer, more active life.  You can travel even though you use oxygen, but you'll need to plan ahead.  Oxygen is a fire hazard so follow safety measures to keep you and your family safe.

 

Oxygen therapy is a way to get more oxygen into your lungs and bloodstream.  It is sometimes used for people with diseases that make it hard to breathe, such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, or heart failure.  Oxygen therapy can make it easier to breathe and reduce the heart’s workload.  Some people need extra oxygen all the time and others need it from time to time throughout the day or overnight.  A doctor will prescribe how much oxygen you need, based on blood tests.  The doctor will tell you how much oxygen to use per minute (the flow rate) and how often to use it.  To breathe the oxygen, most people use a nasal cannula (say "KAN-yuh-luh"). This is a thin tube with two prongs that fit just inside your nose.  Children and people who need a lot of oxygen may need to use a mask that fits over the nose and mouth.  Your oxygen supply can be delivered to your home in tanks, or cylinders, or it can be produced in your home by a machine called an oxygen concentrator.  Oxygen in tanks come as compressed oxygen gas and come in several sizes. Small tanks can be carried with you when you leave home.  Large tanks are heavy and are usually not moved after they are placed in the home.  

 

Liquid oxygen takes up less space in liquid form than as a gas.  Compared to tanks of oxygen gas, tanks of liquid oxygen weigh less and hold more oxygen, so they may be a good choice for people who are active.  Oxygen concentrators take in regular air (which is about 21% oxygen), remove the other gases, and produce oxygen that is up to 95% pure.  Most concentrators are about the size of a kitchen garbage can and weigh from 30 lb (15 kg) to 50 lb (25 kg).  Also, portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) that can be taken on an airplane, bus, train, or cruise ship are available.  These weigh less than 20 lb (9 kg), and some even weigh less than 10 lb (5 kg). Portable oxygen concentrators can either be plugged into an electrical outlet or run on battery power.  Concentrators don't need to be refilled like oxygen tanks do, so they may cost less and be more convenient.  But unlike an oxygen tank, a concentrator runs on electricity, so you will need an oxygen tank as a backup in case the power goes out.  Your doctor will help you choose the source that fits your needs.  A combination may be best.  Some people use a concentrator at home, keep a large oxygen tank on hand as a backup, and have small tanks or a portable concentrator for use outside the home.  After your doctor prescribes oxygen and you decide on which source you will use, there are a few things to know about safety and using oxygen in the home.