When is an oxygen concentrator needed? And what are its uses?
When blood saturation levels drop below 94%, it could be a sign of respiratory distress. Usually this merits hospitalisation, but due to the surge in COVID-19 cases and oxygen beds in short supply. This device could help those whose saturation levels range between 88 - 92 if they can’t get access to a hospital with a bed. Any lower would require more intensive oxygenation and any higher would mean that an improvement in lung function can obviate the need for such a device.
What does an oxygen concentrator do?
An oxygen concentrator takes in air and separates the oxygen and delivers it into a person via a nasal cannula. Air is 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen and a concentrator that works by plugging into a source of electricity delivers air that is up to 95% oxygen. In respiratory infections that causes oxygen saturation levels to dip below 90%, having an external device supply pure oxygen eases the burden on the lungs. However in cases of severe respiratory distress, it may be necessary to provide oxygen that is almost 99% pure and an oxygen concentrator is not up to that job.
How does an oxygen concentrator work?
A concentrator consists of a compressor and sieve bed filter. The compressor squeezes atmospheric air and also adjusts the pressure at which is delivered. The sieve bed is made of a material called Zeolite that separates the nitrogen. There are two sieve beds that work to release oxygen into a tank that’s connected to the cannula as well as release the separated nitrogen and form a continuous loop that keeps producing fresh oxygen.
Blog Header and Content in the story for Monday: What is a proning? And how it helps improving oxygen levels?
Proning or prone positioning is the placement of patients into a prone position so that they are lying on their stomach.
What are proning positions?
While proned, the patient is made to lie on his/her belly using pillows. One can also lie on their right side (right lateral), left side (left lateral) or sit at a 60-90 degree angle in the ‘fowler position’.
Medically, doctors suggest that a patient remain prone for a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours. This helps improve ventilation to the lungs and hence oxygen levels start improving.
How does being in that position improve oxygen levels?
If oxygen saturation (SpO2) drops below 94, timely proning and maintaining good ventilation can save a life. Proning improves ventilation to the lungs, and keeps the alveoli units (tiny balloon shaped structures that are the smallest passageway in the respiratory system) open, thereby easing breathing, say the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health.
What is needed for proning?
All we need for proning are 4-5 pillows. One pillow is to be placed below the neck, 1-2 pillows below the chest through upper thighs, and 2 pillows below the shins. A patient should lie on their belly, right and left side alternately. However, experts suggest that at least 30 minutes should be spent in each proned position for best results.
When should we avoid proning?
Proning should not be practiced during pregnancy, or by patients who have deep venous thrombosis (treated in less than 48 hours). Patients with major cardiac conditions, unstable spine femur or pelvic fractures should avoid proning.
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