How do you choose the best portable oxygen concentrator?
Choosing a Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) is exciting and simple. Here are a few factors to consider. First, let’s determine what your physician has prescribed. Your setting will indicate how much oxygen (Liters Per Minute “LPM”) is required and how the oxygen is to be delivered. There are two oxygen delivery methods. Pulse Dose (on-demand when oxygen device senses a breath is needed) and Continuous Flow (steady stream of Oxygen).
What should be written on your oxygen prescription?
All prescriptions must contain your physician’s signature, your physician’s contact information, the patient’s full name, and a description of the therapy prescribed.
Portable oxygen concentrator prescriptions should indicate either the oxygen concentrator model name and/or whether you need pulse dose oxygen therapy or continuous flow oxygen therapy. There are some POC’s that can only provide pulse dose oxygen.
A prescription for continuous flow oxygen is not valid for the purchase of a pulse dose only concentrator.
Any questions regarding your prescription can be answered quickly and simply by your physician. Please let us know if you would like some assistance.
Below are examples of how a prescription might read:- 3 LPM pulse
- 2 LPM continuous
Now that we have determined what is written on your prescription, we have simplified your options. We will help you select the best option available to fit your lifestyle needs.
Require oxygen that will work with a CPAP or Bi-PAP? No worries! Check out our line of stationary options.
When selecting your portable oxygen concentrator it is important to select an option that will work now and later. If your respiratory conditions will deteriorate over time, possibly requiring more supplemental oxygen, you will want to purchase a portable oxygen concentrator that can meet these future needs. Make sure to discuss this with your doctor before purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator.
Once you have determined which portable oxygen concentrator best meets your needs, you can begin looking for a device that will fit your active lifestyle. We have many options to choose from so we encourage you to further narrow your search by looking at the following features:
- Battery-search – for battery duration that best meets your active lifestyle needs.(Extra batteries can be purchased separately to extend time between charges.)
- Size and weight-search – for the lightest device among those portable oxygen concentrators that meet your clinical requirements.
- Travel – All of the portable oxygen concentrators we offer are FAA approved!
When selecting a Portable Oxygen Concentrator there are a few things you will want to consider. Your liter flow and whether a pulsing device can be tolerated while keeping oxygen saturations maintained are important aspects of therapy. Our Respiratory Specialists are on hand to help you determine which POC will support your oxygen saturations and your active lifestyle! Please call us at 833-POC-4YOU today!
