It is essential that your medical practice is equipped with the best oxygen therapy devices and, therefore, decisions made when buying these devices should be carefully thought through.
Here are the top tips to ensure you buy the right devices for your practice.
Get Clear On What
There is an extensive range of oxygen therapy devices available and the first step in making the best purchase is to know the available options. The device most suited to your needs may be a CPAP machine, oxygen concentrator, nebuliser, oximeter or a combination of these, depending on your specific situation.
Making sure that you know exactly what is available is important to make the right purchase decision. Spending some time to research different brands and the benefits of each is also worthwhile.
Prioritise Your Needs
The right device for your practice will likely differ from another around the corner, as it depends on your needs as a practice and the patients under your care.
It can be helpful to look back at the patient record over the past year to obtain an understanding of your demand for oxygen therapy devices. This will help you to identify which devices are likely to offer the most benefit into the future.
Think about Your Patients
Your patients are at the center of your overall care model, and it’s essential to consider which devices will offer the greatest benefit to them. What health conditions that require oxygen therapy do many of your patients suffer from? What type of devices do they require?
Chronic conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often require ongoing aid from oxygen therapy to manage symptoms of breathlessness. In an acute situation, oxygen can be administered for emergency relief for patients with major trauma, anaphylaxis, major haemorrhage or shock.
Consider Portability
The portability of oxygen therapy devices is highly variable and each model has specific benefits that optimise its use for a particular situation.
Some portable devices can be carried with patients on an ongoing basis in home-based care. On the other hand, fixed devices dedicated to a hospital environment may have additional features that help to monitor for early signs of hypoxia.
Check For Durability
The way that an oxygen therapy device is intended to be used will also affect your decision of which device to buy.
For a considerable and ongoing demand for the device, it is advisable to invest in quality equipment that will stand the test of time. Conversely, if you rarely require oxygen therapy devices and only need it on hand for occasional use, the long-term durability is less important.
