Home oxygen is widely used in the clinical management of patients with conditions that result in chronic breathlessness. It is often requested by patients and their families, particularly when they have been treated with oxygen during a hospital admission with an acute worsening of hypoxaemia. However, oxygen therapy at home is not an insignificant undertaking; it may be challenging for both patients and their families and carries a number of risks in terms of safety and clinical response to treatment. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has published detailed evidence-based guidance for the assessment, prescription and follow-up of oxygen therapy in the home setting (Hardinge et al, 2015). This article addresses the main points of the guidance and considers the role of primary care health professionals, such as general practice nurses (GPNs), in supporting patients with chronic breathlessness and identifying those who might benefit from assessment for home oxygen therapy.
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