title: Long-term oxygen therapy.
abstract: The role of long-term oxygen therapy in the management of patients with hypoxemia is discussed. A brief history of the use of long-term oxygen therapy and its benefits is provided. The actual prescription of long-term oxygen therapy and reimbursement issues are reviewed. The use of long-term oxygen therapy, particularly in the home and for travel is addressed. In recent times, the focus of oxygen therapy delivery has shifted to allow patients receiving repeated oxygen therapy to have increased mobility. Lighter and more portable equipment is now used, and oxygen-conserving devices have been developed that allow the patient's oxygen supply to last longer. An update on this equipment and these devices is provided.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Disorders Center, Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center, Caritas Christi Health Care System, Menthuen, Massachusetts 01844, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DesRosiers
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Russo
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000191:economics; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014195:Travel; D014481:United States