Patient-oxygen dissociation curves: surveying the spectrum of oxygen-delivery methods.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the spectrum of oxygen-delivery methods.


METHODS
Clinical audit.


METHODS
Medical wards of a tertiary referral teaching hospital in August 2004.


METHODS
98 medical patients receiving supplemental oxygen.


RESULTS
Of the 98 patients, 40 were not receiving oxygen by customary methods. In classifying the patterns of oxygen delivery, we describe the transcephalic, submental, and (inadvertent) rectal approaches, as well as lachrymal insufflation and the "Venturi cravat". We also describe novel oxygen-weaning methods, including the half-wean, reverse wean, and placebo wean.


CONCLUSIONS
Many patients receive oxygen by unconventional methods. We postulate that this is evidence of a renewed interest in the historical routes of oxygen delivery.
Attia
John R
JR
Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW. john.attia@newcastle.edu.au
Nair
Balakrishnan R
BR
Mears
Stephen R
SR
Hitchcock
Karen I
KI
D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
D010100:Oxygen