title: The importance of knowing the home conditions of patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is one of the main treatments for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients receiving LTOT may have less than optimal home conditions and this may interfere with treatment. The objective of this study was, through home visits, to identify the characteristics of patients receiving LTOT and to develop knowledge regarding the home environments of these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-seven patients with a mean age of 69 plus or minus 10.5 years were evaluated. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive analysis. Data were collected during an initial home visit, using a questionnaire standardized for the study. The results were analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-five percent of the patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 11% were active smokers. The patients' mean pulse oximetry values were 85.9% plus or minus 4.7% on room air and 92% plus or minus 3.9% on the prescribed flow of oxygen. Most of the patients did not use the treatment as prescribed and most used a humidifier. The extension hose had a mean length of 5 plus or minus 3.9 m (range, 1.5-16 m). In the year prior to the visit, 26% of the patients received emergency medical care because of respiratory problems. Few patients reported engaging in leisure activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The home visit allowed us to identify problems and interventions that could improve the way LTOT is used. The most common interventions related to smoking cessation, concentrator maintenance and cleaning, use of a humidifier, and adjustments of the length of the connector hose. Therefore, the home visit is a very important tool in providing comprehensive care to patients receiving LTOT, especially those who show lack of adequate progress and those who show uncertainty about the treatment method.
authors: Department of Nursing, Botucatu School of Medicine, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. ildadegodoy@gmail.com
authors: Ilda
authors: I
authors: Godoy
authors: Suzana Erico
authors: SE
authors: Tanni
authors: Carme
authors: C
authors: Hernández
authors: Irma
authors: I
authors: Godoy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006792:House Calls; D006798:Housing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen