Supply
Oxygen is is required when a patient's normal oxtgen supply to the lungs fails due to respiratory failure, circulatory failure or poisoning.
Oxygen can be supplied via piped supply or more often compresses gas cylinders, the cylinders are painted black with a white collar and come in a variety of sizes, in the imaging department they are typically size "F" containing 1360 litres of oxygen and mounted in an upright trolley or mounted underneath a patients trolley (slightly top angled up 10º).

Operation
The operator should check that the cylinder
Is easily accessable
Is easily moved or transported
Is checked for function daily
Is kept clean
Is easily opened / closed
Has a supply of tubing and masks.

Methods of Delivery
Depending on the degree of oxygenation required the prescriber should indicate the method of delivery. Typical methods include.
Masks - 30% - 50 % at 3 -5 L/Min.
Nasal Cannula 30 - 40% at 3 - 5 L/Min.
Oxygen Tent - 40% at 10 L/Min

Masks are of various designs and should be used as per their instructions to give the correct oxygen concentration delivery at the stated low rates.

Oxygen Cylinder, & Associated Setup (Guidelines on Patient Care in Radiography, Gun & Tozer) A ON / OFF valve B Attachment of regulator C Pressure Gauge D Control Valve and flow regulator E Flowmeter

Diagram of a Typical Oxygen Therapy Facemask
Nursing Times  May 3 Vol 85 No 18 !989

Patients Observations required during oxygen therapy
Basic nursing care, temperature, pulse and respiraory rate.
Palour
Signs of respiratory distress
Patency of supply equipment.

Precautions
Oxygen supports combustion but does not itself burn, but to prevent explosion risk the following precautions should be observed.
No Smoking or naked lights
No electrical equipment which may creat sparks.
No oil or grease should be used on the cylinder, fixtures or fittings.

Record Keeping
Any patient receiving oxygen in the department should have a record kept of the time of therapy the flow rate and the percentage of oxygen administered.

Link: Acute Oxygen Treatment by Dr. Andrei M.Varvinski,