7 ft oxygen tubing - Home Care For the Ill

Anyone who has taken care of a patient at home would understand the need for good preparedness while providing healthcare. Crucial supplies including bandages, gauze tapes, cotton balls, nebulizers if it is a case of asthma or respiratory disorders and a mini oxygen tank needs to be available at hand. Oxygen tubing is one of the accessories that is a must in health and home care settings for patients requiring supplemental oxygen.

This clear plastic tubing, also known as a nasal cannula, comes in various lengths with 6, 7 and 25 feet being the most common. The tubing is a part of a three-part system comprising oxygen tank, tubing and flow meter. Cardinal, Teleflex, Hudson and Invacare are some of the leading manufacturers that make oxygen tubing.

Oxygen is a gas that is required for the body to work well. Lungs take the oxygen out of the air that is inhaled and this is put into the blood. The blood transports oxygen to all the cells in the body and waste carbon is taken back to the lungs and exhaled. However, there are times when a person needs more oxygen than they get by breathing and this may be in a case of lung disease, anemia or heart disease.

An oxygen system facilitates this supplemental oxygen. The oxygen comes in a container and a breathing device such as a mask or cannula allows the oxygen to be breathed in through the tube which is connected to the connector. The tube needs to be strong and of the right length. Most often medical equipment makers provide tubes that are disposable since it is safe and hygienic.

At times, the oxygen tubing is longer to allow mobility to a patient. But the use of long lines does have some risks attached since this could pose a tripping hazard to both the patient and caregiver. Clinicians also feel that patient should not be restricted to the bed as this also has its own setbacks such as lack of exercise.

Oxygen tubing should be crush-resistant as well since patients may at times put their body weight over the tubing thus cutting off supply or obstructing supply to the cannula. Other features that are available these days include anatomically curved tubing to fit upper lip; curved, tapered nasal prongs and over-the-ear style headset enabling secure positioning. Before purchasing oxygen tubing it is always better to consult a physician, understand the requirements, explore the options available in the market and then procure the accessory.