Cannula are available in different shapes and sizes and a patient may need a specific type of cannula to accommodate their flow rate.

Straight adult cannula and curved adult cannula: these adult nasal cannulae can be used for flow rates of 0 lpm up to 4 lpm. Nasal cannulae do not come with tubing attached, they are designed to fit directly into the trumpet connection on the tubing.

Curved cannula: these have two slightly curved prongs that go up into the nostrils. The curves should point towards the back of the head to allow the oxygen to flow easily and comfortably.

Straight adult cannula: have two straight prongs that go up the nostrils. There is also a small lip of plastic that sits on top of the lip.

The appropriate length of tubing will be supplied by our Healthcare Technician, taking into account the needs of the oxygen user and the safest option bearing in mind that:

• Tubing too long might create a trip hazard for the patient.
• Tubing too short could impede a patient’s lifestyle and quality of life.

All tubing is anti-crush, meaning that it keeps its shape and is not easily pushed down flat. All the tubing has a trumpet connection at the end to fit either the mask or the nasal cannula into.

At installation, our Healthcare Technician will educate the patient/carer regarding a possible piped installation. If the patient does not consent to a pipe in, a free line installation will be scheduled.  It is important to note:

• Free-line tubing should only allow the patient to get to rooms on the same level that are essential to reach.
• Piped installations do not necessarily reduce tubing length.
• Tubing is attached to the wall outlet to mobilise between rooms.
• Any type of free-line oxygen tubing is dangerous when using a stair lift.

How to reduce risk

• Ask the patient to discuss where they need to use their home oxygen therapy with our Healthcare Technician.
• Multiple oxygen concentrators can be ordered for those patients that require them – tubing can be reduced by having a second concentrator in the home.
• Portable cylinders can be ordered for mobility around the home.
• Portable/transportable concentrators can be ordered for those with appropriate clinical need.

We supply a range of connectors that we install to help with oxygen delivery:

• T shaped – used to redirect oxygen into another room usually used when oxygen is piped around the home
• L shaped – used when oxygen is piped around the home to direct oxygen to another room

Straight connector:
These are used to connect two pieces of tubing together.

Swivel connector:
These are used if a patient is quite mobile within the home and tubing may get easily twisted.

Y shaped connector:
This is used when home oxygen therapy is piped around the home to redirect oxygen to another room.

These are used in the case of a fire in the home. The firebreak cuts off the oxygen supply to the patient so that any fire does not reach the patient and cause damage. The firebreak must stay in the patient’s tubing and should not be touched under any circumstances.

Note:
The blue arrow on the firebreak must always be pointing towards the patient.

We provide one cylinder bag per patient free of charge on the installation of ambulatory home oxygen therapy cylinders. The bag has been designed to fit both the oxygen cylinder and the conserver to make it easier for the user to carry their ambulatory cylinders.