What To Expect
I am being discharged from the hospital, what will happen next?
Before leaving the hospital or shortly after getting home, you will receive a call from our Intake Department. We will complete an assessment with you over the phone to determine what type of equipment is best for you based on your prescription and lifestyle (how often you leave the house and for how long you use a walker or wheelchair, etc.). They will also setup a time for the delivery technician to arrive to setup your new equipment.
Depending on your prescription, you may be given a tank of oxygen when you leave the hospital to use until our technician meets you at your home to setup your new equipment. There are instructions included with the tank and a nurse or respiratory therapist can show you how to turn the tank on to your prescribed liter flow.
A delivery technician will arrive at your home during the appointment window discussed during your intake call. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend with you to help listen to the instructions. The technician will always have a name badge for your security.
First, the technician will sit down and discuss with you the install process. They will ask to walk around your home to determine the best way to setup your equipment and make sure there are no safety risks. They will then bring in the equipment to setup and teach you how to use your new home oxygen system.
They will have you demonstrate how to use your equipment and answer any questions you have about use and care of your equipment. The technician will also deliver an instruction book and educational packet for you to review. We also have pulse oximeters available for sale if you want to ensure the therapy is maintaining your oxygen saturation levels.
What kind of equipment will I receive?
Insurance pays for oxygen as rental equipment. Oxygen equipment is rented and will need to be returned in good working condition.
Everyone gets a concentrator, that turns room air into oxygen, to use while at home. This machine plugs into the wall and will make oxygen as long as it has power and is turned on.
Patients who use their oxygen at night or all day will get a backup system in case of a power outage.
And patients who use their oxygen during the day will receive a portable system so they can remain active out of the house. There are several types of portable systems.
Oxygen Concentrator
Portable Oxygen Concentrator
What type of portable systems to you carry?
We strive to match patients with a system that will best meet their needs.
Homefill or Transfill System—A homefill or tranfill system also uses tanks, but allows you to fill your own tanks using your concentrator. The tanks can be filled in advance and stored until they are needed. Homefill systems decrease your reliance on deliveries and offer increased independence for patients that are very active outside of the home.
Oxygen Tanks—This is what most people think of when they think of oxygen therapy. We will deliver several small tanks and a carrying bag for you to use when you are out and about. Oxygen One is an oxygen manufacture. We fill tanks locally at our office in Waukesha. The technician will let you know what day we are in your area. When you are running low on tanks, simply call our office or complete a delivery request 1-2 days before your delivery day and we will exhange the empty tanks for full tanks. You can also stop by our office and exchange the tanks at your convenience Monday-Friday.
Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC)—This device runs on battery and much like a standard concentrator, changes room air into oxygen. Like any system, there are several factors to consider. We do our best to find a Portable Oxygen Concentrator that will match their physical abilities, liter flow, ability to trigger conserving devices, and battery life that will last as long as needed.
Liquid Oxygen—A liquid oxygen system consists of a reservoir tank and a refillable portable device. Because liquid oxygen is more dense than the oxygen gas used in tanks, liquid oxygen therapy will provide more time on a single fill. However, it also evaporates and cannot be stored long term.
Our office is open Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. We also offer 24/7 Emergency Service in case your concentrator stops working.
If you have any questions about your equipment, we are happy to help you troubleshoot, just give us a call at (262) 521-2202.