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Key Considerations When Choosing a Home Oxygen Provider For Your Infant/Child

Infants and children require special care and support when being transitioned from the hospital to home setting. Older children can often speak for themselves and let us know how they are feeling, if they are short of breath, or uncomfortable and so it is important to ensure that the appropriate precautions are taken in the transition from hospital care to homecare.

These precautions include ensuring that the homecare oxygen provider you choose to provide your infant/child with home oxygen meet certain key requirements.

 

 

Listed below are some key requirements you should ensure can be met by your provider of choice.

  • Provider has a 24-7-365 contact number for emergencies that is answered by a therapist and not a call center answering service.
  • Provider ensures that oxygen equipment provided for infant/child use is in excellent condition, reliable, and quiet.
  • Provider ensures that no equipment that has been exposed to smoke (due to being in a smokers home) is provided for infant /child use.
  • Provider ensures availability and the choice to have a portable oxygen concentrator if safely medically indicated and not just cylinders.
  • Provider has staff familiar with infant/child home oxygen patient needs.
  • Provider stocks additional products for infant/child home oxygen use including:
    • Specialty tape for use with infant/ child nasal cannula
    • Infant / child nasal cannula
    • Infant / child flow meters
    • Infant / child oximeters for testing blood oxygen saturation
    • Infant / Child nebulizers
    • Infant / Child flow meters
    • Infant / child regulators

Caring for Babies, Toddlers and Children with Oxygen at Home

Growing up with oxygen therapy
  • Your local healthcare team have put in place a well defined process which explains in detail how to care for children on oxygen at home.
  • Dream Sleep Respiratory has a fundamental role in this and will ensure that everything is done to support your child and family.
Caring for babies, toddlers and children with oxygen at home
  • We understand that having a child that requires home oxygen can have a significant impact on your life.
  • We are experienced in providing support and assistance to cater for the changing needs of our younger patients.
  • In this section you will find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions specifically regarding the care of young children on oxygen and the equipment that is being used. 
How do I know if oxygen is coming out?
  • If you are concerned that the equipment may not be delivering any oxygen, you should place the end of the oxygen tubing in a small amount of clean water and check that bubbles are being produced, never submerge nasal cannula. If you are still concerned, please do not hesitate to contact us at 403-768-1849.
Can I use oils, moisturizers, ointments and creams?
  • It is vitally important that when using any creams or lotions (including sun block products) on your baby or toddler’s skin that they do not contain oil or petroleum-based products, such as Vaseline.
  • Please use water based products only, as these products are as effective as the traditional oil based variant and will not harm your baby’s delicate skin. Your local pharmacist or Healthcare Professional will advise you of suitable items to use.
  • Alcohol rub is deemed safe to use for hygiene purposes, provided that hands are dried thoroughly before making contact with the oxygen equipment.
My baby/toddler/child has the sniffles and the cannula is getting blocked
  • Young children are more vulnerable to sniffles and sneezes and it is not uncommon for the cannula to become blocked as a consequence.
  • You should change the cannula when it becomes soiled/dirty and call us for additional supplies when needed or required.
  • This not only ensures that your child’s supply of oxygen is maintained but it is also good standard of practice to minimize the risk of any infections. You should also check the tubing and cannula regularly for signs of obstruction, flattening and splitting.
  • Please retain the paper insert from the disposable plastic bag, which has the model ref. number when picking up new disposable tubing.
  • Example: Model ref. number for re-ordering purposes
Can my child go to school/day centre/undertake exercise?
  • Your Healthcare Professional will be able to give you guidance with respect to the scope and extent of activities your child may be capable of undertaking.
  • We have many patients on oxygen who attend nurseries, play groups, preschool groups, day centres, mainstream education, as well as specialist establishments.
  • Prior to considering any of these activities you should consult your Healthcare Professional for advice.
  • Playtime and social interaction need not be prohibited by a child on oxygen, however, there are a few things to bear in mind in order to ensure a safe environment:
  • If a cylinder is in use, secure it so that it will not topple over
  • Ensure the tubing is of a suitable length i.e. long enough to allow the required activity but not too long as to present a trip hazard or become blocked or kinked.
  • We are happy to discuss the relevant Health and Safety issues with anyone involved in the care of your child and work with them to resolve any issues and minimize the risks associated with all their activities. We do request that all of our safety information and guidelines are followed and recommend that you regularly consult with your Healthcare Professional so they can monitor and assess your child as necessary.
Can my child go on school trips?
We recommend you check with your Healthcare Professional prior to undertaking events involving travel and activities outside the normal curriculum. Our oxygen therapy guide ‘Your Home Oxygen Service’ provides comprehensive information regarding travelling with oxygen therapy equipment. However, we will be glad to discuss any issues on an individual basis to provide help and support for all concerned.
How do I carry the oxygen when using the baby’s stroller?
  • You should ensure the equipment is in an upright position and secured.
  • It should be kept in a carry bag  to protect it from damage and keep it clean.
  • Do not balance the cylinder on top of the stroller or place it next to your baby.
  • If possible the most convenient way to carry the cylinder is in the provided bag on your back while pushing the pram or buggy. However, if this is not feasible, the cylinder should be placed in the shopping compartment of the stroller in an upright and secure position.
Removal of equipment
  • If the oxygen equipment needs to be removed for any reason, please contact us at 403-768-1849 and we will advise you accordingly.
Support for care givers

 

  • We have a 24 hour availability for emergent needs.
Normal working hours are:
Monday – Friday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm

 

Please contact us on:
403-457-1127

 

We will be glad to assist, whether it is for technical advice, lifestyle issues or simply to have a reassuring chat.