Many COPD patients are shocked when they discover how effective oxygen therapy is at reducing their symptoms, but oxygen machines aren’t foolproof. From learning what indicator lights mean to dusting consistently, here’s how to keep your oxygen concentrator in good condition.
Know What Indicator Lights Mean
Oxygen concentrators can beep or flash blinking lights, and these can tell you all sorts of things about the condition of your unit. It may indicate the need for a battery change or filter change, or it could be warning you that the unit is overheating.
If you haven’t already, check your concentrator’s manual and familiarize yourself with all the different lights and beeping patterns so you know what the machine is trying to say.
Use Proper Cleaning Materials
When you set about cleaning your oxygen concentrator, there are a few materials you should use and some you should avoid. Opt for soft microfiber cloths instead of rough cloths or towels. And while you can submerge your nasal cannula in water, never submerge the unit. In fact, you should never use water inside your oxygen concentrator, period.
Remove Dust Regularly
Oxygen concentrators work by pulling air in and concentrating the oxygen. However, whenever the device sucks up air, any particles in the air come, too! Luckily, your oxygen machine filters out dust particles and other impurities, but you should keep an eye on these filters.
Check the filters weekly and replace them when you notice significant dust buildup. Depending on where you keep your machine, you may need to replace these filters more or less regularly.
Clean Everything
All oxygen concentrators need a good cleaning every so often. We recommend addressing any glaring cleanliness issues immediately and performing routine maintenance every other week. The exterior is the simplest part to clean, as all you need is a damp cloth and a little elbow grease.
You can clean the filter and nasal cannula with tap water and liquid dish detergent, and you should replace all your tubing once every six months.
Now that you know how to keep your oxygen concentrator in good condition, stay sanitary and breathe easy.
