RT Clinic: Debunking an Oxygen Tubing Myth

[@stephemmick1496]

What a fun channel! Ive been a RT for 25 years and usually stumble upon dry lectures on KZbin. Thankd for msking it fun for future RTs!

[@alejandrobonilla1141]

Thank you so much for this video 🙌🙂

[@shanshan8113]

Can you make a video demonstrating the proper setup when transporting a patient in the hospital using oxygen?

[@rtclinic]

Yes! This is a needed video. I'll put it on my list.

[@sylvisterling8782]

I wish that tubing was MODIFIABLE as to length and connectors! My client has a 35 foot apartment range of motion... and until recdntly, I could ONLY find 25 foot and 50 foot tubing! The 25 footer meant that the client could not reach the front door because the distance from the concentrator was too far... and the 50 foot tubing was constantly underfoot, under wheelchair wheels, getting split, kinked, stepped on, tripped over... what a nightmare! But the only ones I can find have built-on connectors at each end. I FINALLY found a 40 foot tubing... HALLELUJAH!... but there's still more tubing than we need!

[@rtclinic]

We use 10 ft sections at the hospital and connect with plastic connectors. Be sure to specifically ask for this option from your homecare company.

[@michaelott310]

Why didn't you test an actual O2 concentrator? I've actually tried different lengths of tubing with patients on O2 concentrators. I didn't have a tester for the O2 flowrate. Instead, I used a pulse oximeter and noted the changes as I increased the tubing length, while keeping the flow at 2 lpm. The 7', 14 ' and 21' lengths showed consistent pulse oximetry of 95%. At 28' it dropped to 90%. Pts. were unaware of the changes. Their breathing pattern, rate and depth remained constant. I've also noticed desaturations O2 when you attach a concentrator to a BIPAP at the same flow rate as a nasal cannula with the same length of tubing. Perhaps a difference in flowmeters? Compensated vs uncompensated? I'm just telling you what I observed when I tried it on actual patients. I really love your videos. They're a great teaching tool for when I do RT in-services with nurses.

[@rtclinic]

That's interesting. If I can get my hands on the testing unit, I'll do it with a concentrator next time. Maybe a KZbin short.

[@groovywoomy]

So my grandma has an at home concentrator and a 100 ft hose. She says she feels more breathless on the concentrator than the bottles it charges up and we initially believed it was because of length. I guess it must be because of a significant difference in the purity level of the oxygen then. Do you have any ideas or recommendations on how to increase the oxygen level in her home to combat the low purity level?

[@rtclinic]

I would contact your home care company (who you rent the concentrator from). They can test the actual flowmeter flow rate. Since the change in concentration is usually undetectable to most people, the flow rate is probably the difference she is feeling. I hope your grandma is able to get this fixed.

[@groovywoomy]

@@rtclinic We got a good air purifier for the room which has helped a little, but that sounds like a good idea as well. If we can actually get through to a person that is... Unfortunately there has been issue after issue with said rental company to do the necessary things on their end from the beginning. We've actually had to changer her machine twice because of something going wrong before. They do not come to regularly check on or maintain the machine, despite supposedly being paid to by her insurance.

[@rtclinic]

@groovywoomy I'm sorry. This is a common problem because the reimbursement is so low to companies for oxygen therapy. It's sad, but alot of the service depends upon reimbursement.

[@MohamedSaber007]

Thanks for the great demonstration but I have a couple of questions about nebulization. -When using a nebulizer mask setup that is hooked up to the wall oxygen source does that require humidification or not? Should I replace the Christmas tree with a water cup or is it unnecessary? -When the medication is over does the mask with medication hub setup hooked up to an o2 source work as an oxygen delivery device or the patient isn't getting any breathable oxygen from that mask? because I've seen some co-workers do that and when I asked them they explained that a nebulizer mask setup could double as an oxygen delivery device but I don't think that's how it works, so is that true or is another myth that needs to be debunked?

[@rtclinic]

Great questions. --It is unnecessary to use humidity with a nebulizer set up. The nasal cannula humidity should be removed from the flowmeter before attaching the nebulizer. -- A nebulizer mask will deliver oxygen after the medication is complete, but it is a variable amount of oxygen. I wouldn't recommend doing it because it is poor patient care. If oxygen is delivered, the clinician should have a general idea of the FiO2. This might be a good experiment though. 🤔 !

[@MohamedSaber007]

@@rtclinic Thanks a lot for clearing that up.

[@brockblack8765]

Debunked indeed

[@EmmettGlenn]

What do you say to the patient who says, "I don't care what your devices and data say! I absolutely feel more breathless when I'm hooked up to a 50-foot cannula, with NO extensions. I breathe much better when I use my 7-foot cannula!"? My suggestion is to keep this video in your pocket so that the patient can watch it. This is very generous of you to educate those of us who see common sense logic in the myths we swear are true. Yes, you debunked the oxygen tubing myth.

[@rtclinic]

If a patient said that, I would suggest they just use a 7ft cannula. 😊👍

[@EmmettGlenn]

@@rtclinic And how would you suggest he use his O2 concentrator? Lug it around on a leash? (Uh-oh. My emojis aren't working. You'll never know I meant what I said in the spirit of fun and good-naturedness?)

[@conniehritz2604]

Is there a way to talk with you directly?

[@rtclinic]

Email is the best way to contact me. My webpage is rt-clinic.com

[@tymesho]

Home O2 users need only a 4 dollar "monometer" for simple/daily checks on a tank regulator to liquid O2 dispersal.

[@rtclinic]

Agreed 👍