Domiciliary oxygen: a survey and clinical assessment of patients in Christchurch.

A clinical review of the 50 patients with severe respiratory disease using domiciliary oxygen, was conducted in Christchurch where there had been no specified assessment of patients prior to commencement of therapy. It was found that uncontrolled growth of this expensive domiciliary service had resulted in its inappropriate and non-cost effective use. Thirty-seven (74 percent) of the patients die not require oxygen according to scientific indications, including 22 (44 percent) who had a resting arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) greater than 70 mmHg (9.31 kPa). This situation is believed to be widespread and reflects a lack of informed medical supervision. It is recommended that prior to commencement of therapy, patients be assessed according to specific domiciliary oxygen criteria with investigations including arterial blood gas tensions.