title: Should we be giving high concentration oxygen to all patients treated in an ambulance?
abstract: Oxygen is one of the most widely used drugs. It is important to recognise that oxygen administration carries risks as well as benefits. While adequate oxygen saturation of arterial blood is an important factor in tissue oxygen delivery, oxygen administration to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can lead to decompensated type II respiratory failure. In this debate, Dr Lavery makes the case that high concentration oxygen should be given to all patients treated in an ambulance, while Professor Corris argues against this position.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Agency, Belfast, Northern Ireland. gavin.lavery@hscni.net
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Lavery
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Corris
mesh_terms: D000552:Ambulances; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018579:Patient Selection; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen