Oxygen Policy

Introduction

• Essential for management of wide range of clinical conditions
• Oxygen is a drug and therefore requires prescribing except in emergency conditions
• Failure to administer appropriately can result in serious harm to the patient
• Safe implementation of oxygen therapy with appropriate monitoring is an integral part of the healthcare professional’s role

Aim

To ensure that patients who require supplementary oxygen therapy receive therapy that is appropriate to their clinical condition and in line with national guidance (BTS Guideline; Thorax, 2008).

• Oxygen will be prescribed according to a target saturation range. The system of prescribing target saturation aims to achieve a specified outcome, rather than specifying the oxygen delivery method alone.
• Those who administer oxygen therapy will monitor the patient and keep within the target saturation range.

Policy Details