Guidelines for Oxygen Use in Adult Healthcare and Emergencies

The use of oxygen is a common therapeutic approach in adult healthcare and emergency situations, and some common principles for its use are given here. Please note that these principles may vary according to national and organizational guidelines. In practice, follow the advice of your healthcare professional and the relevant guidelines.

The following are some generally applicable principles for the use of oxygen in adult healthcare and emergency situations:

1. Medical supervision: In all cases, the use of oxygen should be supervised and directed by a medical professional. They will assess the condition and determine if oxygen therapy needs to be given and the appropriate oxygen flow and concentration.

2. Oxygen flow and concentration: Based on the patient's specific needs and clinical judgment, the medical professional will determine the appropriate oxygen flow and concentration. In general, oxygen flow is usually expressed in liters per minute (L/min), while oxygen concentration is expressed as a percentage (e.g., 21% oxygen concentration is equivalent to the oxygen content of outdoor air).

3. Mode of oxygen delivery: Oxygen can be delivered to the patient by a variety of means, including mask, nasal cannula or respirator. The appropriate mode of delivery will depend on the patient's needs and the advice of the healthcare professional.

4. Safety Precautions: The following safety precautions should be observed when using oxygen:

   - Avoid proximity to sources of ignition and flammable materials.

   - Check oxygen equipment and piping regularly for safety and proper operation.

   - Use appropriate oxygen equipment, which includes flow meters and oxygen concentration monitoring devices.

5. Periodic assessment: Healthcare professionals will regularly assess the patient's oxygen needs and response. Depending on changes in the patient's condition, they may need to adjust the oxygen flow and concentration.