| Troubleshooting Guide | Glossary |

Commonly used terms in oxygen therapy

The following are commonly-used terms relating to oxygen therapy:

Ambulatory – oxygen systems that can be used on the move or outside the home

Cannula – small, plastic device allowing you to take oxygen through the nose

Concentrator – machine that produces oxygen from the surrounding air for patients to breathe

Conserver – a small device for use with a cylinder to make it last up to three times longer

Consumables (or disposables) – masks, cannulae and tubing that should be renewed regularly

Dewar – stationary container for liquid oxygen used to fill a portable unit

Disposables – see consumables

EHIC – European Health Insurance Card – a card provided by the Department of Health that provides UK residents with access to healthcare in Europe

Flow rate – the amount of oxygen you require – expressed in litres per minute (lpm)

Homecare technician – our qualified technician who will deliver and install your equipment and explain how the equipment works

Home oxygen order – see HOOF

HOOF – ‘home oxygen order form’ – a prescription supplied by your doctor or respiratory specialist detailing your oxygen needs

Lightweight cylinder – a portable cylinder weighing less than 3kg suitable for use by young children and frail adults, issued following ambulatory assessment

LOX – abbreviation for liquid oxygen

Lpm – abbreviation for litres per minute, which describes the flow rate prescribed by your doctor

LTOT – Long Term Oxygen Therapy – continuous oxygen therapy in the home, usually lasting at least 15 hours per day

Portable cylinder – any cylinder weighing less than 4kg that can be carried by a patient

Portable unit – device used to carry liquid oxygen, refilled from dewar

SBOT – Short Burst Oxygen Therapy – oxygen therapy for patients with intermittent breathlessness or other symptoms who do not require LTOT