Hospital Technology at Home: Portable Oxygen Therapy in COPD

Although the indications for long-term oxygen therapy are generally well recognized, there are no commonly accepted clinical or social indicators for prescribing portable oxygen therapy. Both the utilization of portable systems and the organizational models for health-care delivery vary considerably from one country to the next and even from one region to the next. There are no reliable data on the number of patients who actually use or who might benefit from using portable oxygen equipment. There are also widely differing views among professionals and the public on what constitutes appropriate access to portable oxygen therapy.

In light of these findings, AETMIS recommends that the MSSS should 1) define indications for each type of portable oxygen equipment; 2) develop a standardized assessment tool and standard procedures for the prescription and coverage of portable oxygen equipment; 3) set up the infrastructure for a coherent home oxygen therapy program that would include portable oxygen equipment; and 4) consider establishing a central patient registry. The MSSS is also encouraged to work in partner- ship with health professionals and research groups to implement a care program that is effective, efficient and fair for all patients requiring home oxygen therapy in Québec.