title: An evaluation of short-term oxygen therapy: the prescription of oxygen to patients with chronic lung disease hypoxic at discharge from hospital.
abstract: The provision of domiciliary oxygen to patients hypoxic at hospital discharge has been termed short-term oxygen therapy (STOT). This practice appears widespread, although there is a paucity of literature and no evidence-based guidelines. We undertook this audit to examine the prescription of STOT and determine the proportion fulfilling for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) 2 months post-discharge. STOT was defined prospectively: resting PaO2 < or = 7.3 kPa (55 mmHg) or PaO2 between 7.3 and 8.0 kPa (60 mmHg) with any of the following: clinical evidence of cor pulmonale (pedal oedema or jugular venous distension), ECG evidence of pulmonale, echocardiogram evidence of pulmonary hypertension, haematocrit > 0.55 (adapted directly from LTOT criteria). Patients were evaluated for LTOT 2 months post-discharge when clinically stable on optimal medical management. All referrals to the Auckland Regional Oxygen Service between July 1998 and 1999 were systematically reviewed. The majority 289/405 (71%) of new referrals were for the prescription of STOT/LTOT in patients with chronic lung disease: 160/289 (55%) derived from hospitalized patients with the majority 130 (81%) fulfilling criteria for STOT, median age 73, range 24-96 years. Mean hospital stay was 10.2 days. Two months after discharge 22/127 (17%) of STOT patients had died, comparable with 4/22 (18%) not fulfilling criteria for STOT. A total of 123 patients were assessed for LTOT at 2 months; 76 (62%) fulfilled criteria for LTOT. The prescription of oxygen at hospital discharge represented a considerable proportion of our referral load. There was a high mortality in the 2-month follow-up period. A significant proportion of STOT patients did not subsequently fulfill criteria for LTOT. Further prospective studies are required in order to develop evidence-based guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Services, Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. teaton@ahsl.co.nz
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grey
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Garrett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008134:Long-Term Care; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010351:Patient Discharge; D018579:Patient Selection; D016896:Treatment Outcome