Monitoring domiciliary oxygen therapy from a regional hospital

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed a) to evaluate correct use of domiciliary oxyg en therapy (DOT); b) to estimate the prevalence of DOT, and c) to evaluate DOT based on the same parameters after intervention by the monitoring team. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional, prospective study of all patients rec eiving DOT before and after initiation of monitoring. We administered spiro metric tests, analyzed indications for and compliance with DOT and monitore d pulse oxymetry in order to adjust oxygen flow. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were receiving DOT (63/100,000 inhabitants). Among the 60 patients with COPD, half met ideal indications for prescribing DOT, 65% complied with over 15 h of DOT, and hypoxemia was not corrected f or 26%. Monitoring resulted in withdrawal of DOT from 28 patients (reductio n of 37%), and DOT was prescribed for 27 new patients, 11 of whom received liquid oxygen. At the end of the study, 46 patients were receiving DOT (38/ 100,000 inhabitants). CONCLUSIONS: a) Ideal indications for DOT, adequate compliance and correcti on of hypoxemia were observed in 54% of the patients undergoing therapy; b) creation of a special service to care for patients receiving DOT improves monitoring, and c) the prevalence of DOT in our area has been reduced from 63 to 38/100,000 inhabitants.