Medical Oxygen
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BOC
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Liquid Medical Oxygen Medicinal gas, cryogenic
Liquid Medical Oxygen,
Oxygen 99.5%,
Medicinal gas, cryogenic
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again.
- If you have further questions, ask your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse or pharmacist).
- This medicine has been prescribed for you.
- Do not pass it on to others as it may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your healthcare professional immediately.
This leaflet gives you information about:
1. What is Liquid Medical Oxygen and what is it used for
2. Things to consider before use
3. How to use Liquid Medical Oxygen
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinders
6. Further Information
1. WHAT IS LIQUID MEDICAL OXYGEN AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR
Liquid Medical Oxygen is supplied and stored as a liquid at very low temperatures, in cylinders and storage tanks. It is converted to Medical Oxygen, a gas at normal temperatures, for you to breathe when required. In hospitals, the converted Medical Oxygen is supplied to you via a medical gas pipeline system.
Medical Oxygen is used:
• during anaesthesia and for recovery following surgery
• to treat or prevent oxygen deficiency in the body in many different situations such as:
• surgery or major trauma such as a road traffic accident,
• heart attacks,
• severe blood loss,
• carbon monoxide poisoning,
• severe lung and heart conditions,
• very high fevers.
• for resuscitation of adults, children and babies.
2. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE USE
Medical Oxygen is only prescribed to you by a healthcare professional.
Ensure that your healthcare professional is aware of any medical conditions that you may have.
Take special care when using Medical Oxygen if:
• your baby requires extra oxygen and is premature. Only give the amount of Medical Oxygen advised by your healthcare professional.
• you are suffering from chronic lung disease, such as bronchitis or emphysema. The amount of Medical Oxygen used must be carefully controlled to the flow rate you have been advised to use by your healthcare professional.
• you have accidentally taken Paraquat (a type of weed killer), advise your healthcare professional before using Medical Oxygen, as there is a possibility of toxic effects to the lungs.
As Liquid Medical Oxygen is stored as a very cold liquid under pressure, rapid opening of the outlet valve will either cause very cold gas or liquid to be discharged.
If this gas or liquid comes in contact with the skin it will cause cold burns. Parts of the cylinder can also become very cold, when in use. This will be evident by ice forming on the cold sections and care should be taken not to touch these areas.
If you have received a cold burn intense pain may be experienced when the skin starts to thaw. To treat cold burns:
• loosen any clothing restricting blood flow and get medical help immediately.
• do not apply any direct heat to the affected area.
• place the affected area(s) in lukewarm water.
• use sterile, dry dressings to protect the damaged skin.
Your clothing could become saturated with oxygen if either liquid or excessive gas come in contact with it.
If your clothing becomes saturated you should walk around in a well-ventilated area for 5 minutes, keeping well away from naked flames and sources of ignition.
Taking other medicines
If you have been taking or prescribed Bleomycin (to treat cancer) or Amiodarone (to treat an irregular heartbeat), advise your healthcare professional before using Medical Oxygen, as there is a possibility of toxic effects to the lungs.
Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Pregnancy and breast feeding
Medical Oxygen will not affect you or your baby if used during pregnancy or whilst breast feeding.
Driving and using machines
You may drive and use machines after using Medical Oxygen providing that your healthcare professional considers that you are both fit and capable.
3. HOW TO USE LIQUID MEDICAL OXYGEN Instructions for use
Liquid Medical Oxygen is only given to you after it has been converted into Medical Oxygen gas at room temperature. In a hospital or clinic Medical Oxygen will be given to you by a healthcare professional. They will ensure that your Medical Oxygen supply is suitable for your use and that the equipment has been set up correctly so that you receive the right amount of oxygen.
To breathe your oxygen you will either be given a face mask or a nasal cannula. The prongs on the cannula are inserted into your nostrils and the tubing is placed over your ears and adjusted under your neck for comfort. The face mask or nasal cannula is connected to your oxygen system with the tubing provided.
If you are using a Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinder at home you will be given full training on the use of your cylinder and equipment when you receive your first supply.
When using your Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinder at home, you must:
• ensure the cylinder is stood upright on a flat surface and supported so that it will not fall over. Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinders should only be used in the vertical position with the valve uppermost, to prevent the liquid from being spilt.
• check the contents gauge on the vessel before you start to make sure there is enough gas available for your use.
• check that the tubing is correctly fitted to the outlet.
• select the flow prescribed by your healthcare professional.
• ensure that all equipment is kept free from oil and grease.
• open the cylinder valve slowly.
• if a leak occurs, this will be evident by a hissing noise.
Always use your Liquid Medical Oxygen equipment exactly as your healthcare professional has shown you and at the correct flow rate. You should check with your healthcare professional if you are not sure.
DO NOT SMOKE or have a naked flame near your Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinder. The oxygen will make a flame burn much more violently.
NEVER use oil based moisturising creams with your equipment.
If you use more Liquid Medical Oxygen than you should
In most cases it is unlikely that an overdose could occur if you follow your healthcare professional's advice.
If you are concerned that you have used too much Medical Oxygen and feel unwell or if you have any questions on the correct use of Medical Oxygen, please ask your healthcare professional.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Medical Oxygen may cause side effects although not everybody will get them.
The side effects that may occur whilst using Liquid Medical Oxygen are:
• soreness of the chest associated with coughing and breathing difficulties after breathing pure oxygen for a prolonged period (6-12 hours). This is made worse by smoking and exposure to cold air.
• dizziness, fits and loss of consciousness after 2-3 hours of exposure, which can occur if you are treated with high pressure (hyperbaric) oxygen in pressurised chambers.
• eye damage (retrolental fibroplasia) which can result in blindness, which may occur with new born babies if they are exposed to oxygen concentrations of more than 40%
If you experience any of these side effects, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, contact your healthcare professional immediately.
5. HOW TO STORE LIQUID MEDICAL OXYGEN Expiry date
Do not use Liquid Medical Oxygen after the expiry date which is stated on the cylinder batch label.
Cylinder storage
Store your Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinders:
• upright on a level surface so that they can not fall over.
• in clean, well ventilated and dry conditions, not exposed to extremes of heat or cold.
• away from oil, grease and flammable material.
• in a designated area, where they can be kept separate from other medical and non-medical cylinders, with empty and full cylinders kept apart.
Handling cylinders
Always handle your Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinders with care, only moving them using an appropriate trolley or handling device.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What Liquid Medical Oxygen Contains
Your Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinder contains a minimum of 99.5% Oxygen.
There are no other ingredients.
Liquid Medical Oxygen cylinders
Liquid Medical Oxygen is a supplied in the following size cylinders:
|
Cylinder Size |
Cylinder Contents (Litres) |
Cylinder Size |
Cylinder Contents (Litres) |
|
DLC 1 DLC 30 |
1032 28,800 |
DLC 37 DLC 200 |
31,820 148,000 |
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
BOC Ltd
The Priestley Centre
10 Priestley Road
The Surrey Research Park
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 7XY
Tel 0800 1 1 1 333
This leaflet was last approved in
MED-XXX - 2008-XX - XXX ex
05/2008