Technical specifications for oxygen concentrators
Date
2015
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WHO
Abstract
Oxygen concentrators are a suitable and favourable option for administering point- of-care oxygen in developing-country settings, especially where cylinders and piped systems are inappropriate or unavailable. Even where oxygen supplies are available at health facilities, patient access may be limited due to missing accessories, inadequate electricity and a shortage of trained staff. Management of hypoxaemia, or low blood oxygen saturation, is a critical component of World Health Organization (WHO) standards and guidelines for newborn illnesses and complications, childhood pneumonia, surgery, anaesthesia, trauma, emergency triage, obstetric care and other serious conditions that are commonly associated with morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Hypoxaemia is easily treated with oxygen, which is included in the WHO Model list of essential medicines and is perhaps the only medicine with no alternative agent. Having a reliable oxygen supply is necessary for the care of seriously ill patients to improve the probability of survival. It is important to ensure that potentially life-saving oxygen equipment is available and included in health planning budgets.
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Keywords
Oxygen Concentrator, UMDNS #: 12815