Can oxygen concentrator be used without medical guidance?

Experts have warned that using oxygen concentrators without medical guidance can be very harmful. Speaking at a webinar organised by PIB, COVID co-ordinator, St. John's Medical College Hospital in Bengaluru, Chaitanya H. Balakrishnan said, "Patients with moderate pneumonia induced by Covid-19 -- with oxygen saturation less than 94 -- can benefit from supplemental oxygen given through oxygen concentrator, but only till they get hospital admission. However, patients using it themselves without suitable medical advice can be harmful."

Oxygen concentrators are simple devices that do precisely what their name promises - they take in ambient air and increase the oxygen concentration, by filtering out and throwing away nitrogen.

These oxygen concentrators work the same way in supplying oxygen needed by the body such as oxygen tanks or cylinders, with the use of a cannula, oxygen masks, or nasal tubes. The difference is that, while the cylinders need to be refilled, the Oxygen Concentrators can work 24 x 7.

According to a WHO training manual on pulse oximetry, if the oxygen saturation is 94 percent or lower, the patient needs to be treated quickly.

A saturation of less than 90 percent is a clinical emergency.

Now, according to the latest clinical guidelines for the management of adult COVID-19 patients, issued by the Union Health Ministry, an oxygen concentration less than or equal to 93 percent on room air requires hospital admission, while that below 90 percent is classified as a severe disease, requiring admission in ICU.

The government advises that given the prevailing situation in the wake of the second wave, one must do whatever he or she best can, to try and replenish oxygen levels, in the event of delay or inability in getting hospital admission as per the clinical management protocol.

Naik further stated that oxygen concentrators are also very useful for patients experiencing post-COVID complications which necessitate oxygen therapy.