What may be required when changing from an oxygen cylinder to an oxygen concentrator?

When transitioning from an oxygen cylinder to an oxygen concentrator, an increase in liter flow may be necessary due to the different mechanisms of oxygen delivery and the concentration of oxygen provided by each source.

Oxygen cylinders deliver a specific concentration of oxygen at a relatively high flow rate, while concentrators rely on ambient air and may vary in their output depending on the equipment's efficiency and settings. A concentrator might not provide as high a flow rate at lower liter settings compared to a compressed gas cylinder, especially as the patient’s needs may change or if the device is set to deliver a lower oxygen concentration when it’s not at peak performance.

Thus, assessing the patient’s needs and potentially increasing the liter flow is often required to ensure they continue to receive sufficient oxygen at the desired concentration, enabling effective oxygen therapy. This consideration is critical, particularly when ensuring that oxygen saturation levels are maintained during the transition to a different delivery method.