Field trial of oxygen concentrators in upper Egypt.
Technical problems in developing countries often require more than just technological solutions. Many small hospitals in rural areas are without a reliable oxygen supply; small oxygen concentrators offer a solution, but simply sending out machines is ineffective. This account details the setting up and first year's operation of a project to test oxygen concentrations in a developing country. A co-ordinated strategy has been developed to include machines, supplies, education, training, and feedback. Initial results are encouraging, and support the idea that suitably installed and maintained concentrations can have a valuable role in bringing oxygen therapy to patients and hospitals in countries which have so far been denied it.
Dobson
M
M
Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Peel
D
D
Khallaf
N
N
D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004534:Egypt; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014944:World Health Organization