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For the South West Region Policy for Prescribing of Home Oxygen to People who Smoke, click here
Two new HOOFs will replace the existing HOOF to order oxygen:
To access the Part A and Part B HOOF go to www.airliquidehomehealth.co.uk/hcp/portal
Copies of the current SW HOOF should be destroyed and not used after 30th September 2016.
All patients being considered for Home Oxygen Therapy, with the exception of Palliative patients should be assessed by a Respiratory Clinical Assessment & Follow-up Service (CAF) with both Blood Gas Analysis machines and oximetry, thus ensuring that the prescription is both safe and effective.
The method of supplying long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) will be determined by the contractor.
Long term administration of oxygen (at least 15 hours/day generally overnight) may prolong survival in patients with severe chronic obstructive airways disease.
When assessing prior to possible use of long term oxygen:
Withdrawal of Home Oxygen Service
The supplier is contracted to provide the service until informed otherwise, and will continue to make a charge until notified it is to be withdrawn. Therefore it is essential that the supplier is informed as soon as possible where oxygen therapy is no longer required.
LTOT & Ambulatory O2 should not normally be prescribed without a Respiratory specialist assessment unless for example for Palliative Care
Notes
Some patients with COPD and other conditions are vulnerable to repeated episodes of hypercapnic respiratory failure. Such patients should be issued with an oxygen alert card and instructed to show it to the ambulance crew and emergency department staff in the event of an exacerbation.
A copy of the BTS Oxygen Alert Card can be downloaded HERE.