Acute oxygen therapy for patients in the community
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Acute oxygen therapy for patients in the community

David Lynes Associate head, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, Lancashire.
Carol Kelly Senior lecturer, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, Lancashire.

This article discusses the administration of acute oxygen therapy in the community setting, and emphasises the importance of achieving target blood oxygen saturation ranges for each patient. Respiratory assessment and monitoring, including blood gas analysis, and the role of pulse oximetry when delivering oxygen therapy are outlined. Nurses working in the community are responsible for conducting respiratory assessments, specifically in relation to triage and decisions concerning whether or not to treat patients at home or transfer them to hospital. It is hoped that the article will provide nurses with the knowledge to improve their practice in relation to oxygen therapy.

Nursing Standard. 27, 21, 63-68. doi: 10.7748/ns2013.01.27.21.63.e7058

Correspondence

lynesd@edgehill.ac.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Received: 21 June 2012

Accepted: 15 October 2012

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