Long-term oxygen therapy

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is the provision of oxygen therapy to a patient at home for at least 15 hours a day, usually for the duration of the remainder of the individual’s life. There are at least 85 000 people prescribed home oxygen in England alone, and many of these patients are assessed and monitored in primary care, with the aid of respiratory specialists from secondary care within a multi-disciplinary team. This article outlines the indications and assessments required for the prescription of LTOT, the cautions and contraindications to home oxygen use, and the practicalities of instigation, delivery and monitoring. The article does not cover nocturnal oxygen therapy, ambulatory oxygen therapy or short-burst oxygen therapy.