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Oxygen Use in People’s Homes Policy

Background

Some people receiving care in their own homes will have oxygen therapy available to them. In some of these cases, care workers will not be necessarily involved in its administration, which is more likely to be controlled by the person following medical advice. In other cases as directed by the users’ care plans they might be involved in its administration. The care plans should specify in what respects care staff are to be involved.

Where oxygen is a feature of someone’s care, staff must be aware that oxygen cylinders and equipment, whoever’s responsibility they are, must be kept and maintained in such ways as to be compliant with all relevant health and safety legislation and guidelines. Otherwise everyone will be put at risk.

Policy Statement

Care workers should:

• check that oxygen supply has been supplied to the person on prescription
• check that oxygen is being used for the purposes for which it was prescribed and is being used safely
• report to their manager any concerns about unsafe use and/or discuss their concerns with the person’s GP or community nurse
• check that responsibilities for the administration of the oxygen are made clear in the person’s plan of care together with a description of any part to be played by the agency’s care workers
• record on the person’s care plan any instances where they have helped the person with their use of their oxygen supply and how they have helped
• ensure that all health and safety requirements are complied with at all times; they should report any risks that appear in its storage and use and observe all safe handling procedures required
• prompt people if they find that a needed oxygen supply is running out
• report any smoking taking place in the household where oxygen is being used so that a full risk assessment and health and safety check can be made.

Training

All care staff who come into contact with oxygen in a person’s home will receive instructions on its safe use and training in any aspect of its administration, where it has been agreed that they should take part. Care staff directly responsible for the administration of oxygen as part of a care plan will be provided with the appropriate training in its use and the health and safety aspects also involved.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next review date: this policy is reviewed annualy (every 12 months). When needed, this policy is also updated in response to changes in legislation, regulation, best practices, or organisational changes.

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