Scope

  • Policy Statement
  • The Policy
  • Further Information
  • Safety Information Staff
  • Related Policies
  • Related Guidance
  • Training Statement

Policy Statement

Where an assessment for a home oxygen service has been agreed this organisation will co-operate and assist, as advised by the oxygen service provider. Staff must be fully involved in the provision of the service so that they can monitor any equipment installed and report any malfunction in an appropriate and timely way.

The Policy

  • A full and comprehensive risk assessment will be undertaken by this organisation after installation by the service provider and the service technician should be the point of contact for any questions or queries.
  • After home installation, a thorough and full training induction should be undertaken by all staff involved in the support plan and this training is usually undertaken by the technician and appropriate health professional as determined by the local care commissioning group. Plus in-house training is also given.
  • The induction will include the different types of oxygen therapies, e.g. gas or liquid form, and the different types of units available, e.g. concentrators, cylinders, D-cylinders and M-6 cylinders. Only the appropriately trained technician or health professional can give this advice.
  • When the home oxygen service is installed, all staff will attend the appropriate induction and training before the commencement of the service.
  • Each service user will have a written plan for all staff to follow.

Further Information

Home oxygen service installers are regulated and approved by the NHS as a medical provider. Please refer to www.bochealthcare.co.uk where information is updated regularly.
There is a health customer service team available on 0800 136 603 for any queries or assistance.

BOC Contact numbers.

Emergency 0800 222 888
Customer Service 0800 111 333

Safety Information for Staff

  • Oxygen is not in itself combustible; however, it will accelerate a flame and make a fire burn hotter.
  • Oxygen should not be used within 5 feet of an open flame (e.g. candles, fireplace, wood-burning stove, gas stove, cigarettes, lighters, etc.).
  • Service users should never smoke while on oxygen. If a service user must smoke, they need to remove the oxygen source from their face and be without oxygen for at least 30 minutes before lighting up. Even though the oxygen may be off the face or turned off, the body and clothing can remain oxygen-rich for up to 30 minutes.
  • Oxygen signage should be posted on the entry and exit doors of the oxygen users’ home. This is to alert anyone who enters that there is oxygen being used in the home, but more importantly, it is to alert the fire department, in the event of a fire, that oxygen is in use.
  • Do not use oil, grease or petroleum-based products on the equipment as a potential ignition source.
  • Oxygen cylinders should be stored lying on their sides in a secure place (under a bed, etc.) or in a cart that cannot easily fall over. You must be careful when handling oxygen cylinders that you do not drop them, especially on their stem. The gas in these cylinders is under pressure and the bottles can become projectiles if they are dropped and broken.
  • Liquid oxygen is very, very cold (-297°). As stated above, do not let liquid oxygen come into contact with bare skin, or you risk frost burn. Liquid oxygen portables (when filled) need to be kept in an upright position or they will leak and make a loud noise. Liquid portables should only be filled before the service user is going out. Do not fill the portable the night before as it will dissipate by morning. In hot, humid weather, liquid oxygen tends to form condensation and sometimes the portable will freeze to the source. To remedy this, simply pour water onto the part that is frozen together to defrost or call your oxygen installers for advice.

Related Policies

Health and Safety
Meeting Needs
Risk Assessment

Related Guidance

Travelling with Oxygen:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/living/copd/travelling-with-oxygen.html

Oxygen at Home:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/breathing-problems/treatment/oxygen-at-home

Oxygen Therapy:
https://www.healthline.com/health/oxygen-therapy

Training Statement

Any training associated with the home oxygen service is mandatory. The registered manager is responsible for ensuring that all staff undertake such training and reach the required standard to deliver the service required.

Date Reviewed: May 2021
Person responsible for updating this policy: Carly Fortune
Next Review Date: May 2022