Please email all oxygen prescriptions to info@cpappoint.com.
To purchase an oxygen concentrator, you do need a prescription from your doctor, stating your oxygen level. Oxygen concentrators are one of the medical devices for which requires a prescription. This is to ensure proper care has been taken in selling you an oxygen machine that is appropriate for your needs, and a prescription is the only evidence we have of exactly what those needs are.
The oxygen concentrator you purchase and use is also largely determined by your prescription, and that's why you may have completely different needs from your friend who also uses supplemental oxygen, even if you both have the respiratory condition. Several important health indicators factor into a prescription for supplemental oxygen that results from a pulse oximetry test and arterial blood gas test.
Some patients who require oxygen therapy only need it when they are exercising, while others only need it while they are sleeping, and others need it for a few hours out of the day no matter what they are doing. Some patients need continuous flow oxygen, while others only need pulse dose. Exactly which type of dosage you need, how many hours out of the day you need it, and at which setting is determined by your doctor.
Your physician will administer tests to find out how much oxygen you require. They will have blood drawn for an ABG test (arterial blood gas) to check your blood gases, as well as use a pulse oximeter to monitor your blood oxygen level. The doctor will also check to see if your blood oxygen levels change drastically during exercise or while you are sleeping. Once your doctor has some measurements relating to blood oxygenation, they can write your prescription for your oxygen requirements.
