Patient Perceptions of the Adequacy of Supplemental Oxygen Therapy. Results of the American Thoracic Society Nursing Assembly Oxygen Working Group Survey

Rationale: Pulmonary clinicians and patients anecdotally report barriers to home supplemental oxygen services including inadequate supply, unacceptable portable options, and equipment malfunction. Limited evidence exists to describe or quantify these problems.Objectives: To describe the frequency and type of problems experienced by supplemental oxygen users in the United States.Methods: The Patient Supplemental Oxygen Survey, a self-report questionnaire, was posted on the American Thoracic Society Public Advisory Roundtable and patient and health care–affiliated websites. Respondents were invited to complete the questionnaire, using targeted e-mail notifications. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t tests, and χ2 analysis.Results: In total, 1,926 responses were analyzed. Most respondents reported using oxygen 24 h/d, for 1–5 years, and 31% used high flow with exertion. Oxygen use varied, with only 29% adjusting flow rates based on oximeter readings. The majority (65%) reported not hav...