[Oxygen in the acute care of adults : Short version of the German S3 guideline].

BACKGROUND

Oxygen is a drug with specific properties, a defined dose-effect range and side effects. In 2015, in a sample of UK hospital patients, 14% were treated with oxygen, of which only 42% had a prescription. Health care workers are often uncertain about the relevance of hypoxemia, and there is limited awareness of the risks of hyperoxemia. Numerous randomized controlled trials on oxygen therapy have recently been published.

METHODS

As part of the guideline program of the Working Group of Scientific Medical Societies e. V. (AWMF), this S3 guideline was developed with the participation of 10 medical societies on the basis of a literature search up to 02/01/2021. The system of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) (The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence) was used to evaluate the literature. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), and a formal consensus process of recommendations was performed.

RESULTS

The guideline contains 34 evidence-based recommendations on the indication, prescription, monitoring, and discontinuation of oxygen therapy in acute care. The indication for oxygen is mainly hypoxemia. Hypoxemia and hyperoxemia should be avoided, since both increase mortality. The guideline recommends target ranges of oxygen saturation for acute oxygen therapy without differentiating between different diagnoses. Target areas depend on the risk for hypercapnia and ventilation status. The guideline provides an overview of available oxygen delivery systems and contains recommendations for their selection based on patient safety and comfort.

CONCLUSION

This is the first German guideline on the use of oxygen in acute care. It is aimed at medical professionals who use oxygen in and outside hospitals and is valid until June 30th, 2024.