Oxygen is NOT Flammable… and Other DME Myths

Oxygen is NOT Flammable… and Other DME Myths

Throughout the years, we have seen many nurses come and go, and with them, their myths about DME. Add to that thousands of questions from hospice patients who misunderstood the function of their equipment and we have seen a lot of misconceptions about DME. However, despite all the questions, a few legendary myths remain, and we’ve decided to put them to rest.

 

Myth: Oxygen is flammable

Truth: Oxygen is NOT flammable.

Oxygen is an oxidizer which will assist a flame to grow. Every flame needs three things; heat, fuel, and oxygen. Concentrated oxygen from a tank or concentrator increases the growing rate of the flame.

 

Myth: DME should be brand new.

Truth: DME, or durable medical equipment, should last at least three years.

Why else would they call it durable?

 

Myth: All surfaces are the same.

Truth: There are different uses for different surfaces.

Although a true low air loss mattress (one that replaces a mattress) differs from a low air loss overlay (is placed on top of a mattress), they both treat stages 1-4 pressure ulcers. The main misunderstanding comes from the APP (alternating pressure pads) and Gel Overlays. APPs and Gel Overlays are specifically designed to treat stages one and two pressure ulcers. Also, some mattresses can treat levels one and two as well.

 

Myth: All cushions are the same.

Truth: RoHo cushion, gel cushion, saddle cushion, and pommel cushion. What’s the difference?

A RoHo cushion has in it multiple air-filled bladders that act as a support surface when the patient is in a wheelchair or other chair-like device. A gel cushion serves the same purpose, but is filled with gel that works to form around the shape of the patient. These are both support cushions.

The saddle and pommel cushions are known as positioning cushions. Their purpose is to keep a patient from getting out of a wheelchair. They are both thicker in the front than in the back, creating a small slope that makes it more difficult for the patient to lean forward and exit the wheelchair. The pommel cushion has a small pommel that is in between the legs while a saddle cushion has a small bump instead of a full pommel.

 

Myth: You can take your portable concentrator anywhere.

 Truth: Not all portable concentrators are approved for flight by the FAA.

The following is a list of FAA approved portable concentrators:

AirSep FreeStyle

AirSep LifeStyle

AirSep Focus

AirSep Freestyle 5

Delphi RS-00400 / Oxus RS-00400

DeVilbiss Healthcare iGo

Inogen One

Inogen One G2

Inogen One G3

Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox

International Biophysics LifeChoice / Inova Labs LifeChoice

Invacare XPO2

Invacare Solo 2

Oxylife Independence Oxygen Concentrator

Precision Medical EasyPulse

Respironics EverGo

Respironics SimplyGo

Sequal Eclipse

SeQual SAROS

 

Myth: Oxygen tubing has no maximum length

Truth: Oxygen tubing extending from a concentrator should not be longer than a 50’ extension with a seven foot cannula.

Any longer and the concentrator cannot provide the pressure needed to supply the patient with concentrated oxygen. The distance is even shorter for those using a demand cannula (7 ft.).

 

Myth: Merry, Mighty, same thing…

Truth: The Merry Walker and Mighty Mack are quite different from each other.

When sitting in a Merry Walker, the patient is fully enclosed by the walker itself. It has a strap that connects the seat with the front of the walker, running between the patient’s legs. This allows the patient to stand and use it as a walker, while preventing themselves from falling to the ground should they lose their balance. A Mighty Mack (also known as a bariatric four wheeled walker) positions the user behind the walker instead of inside it. Unlike a Merry Walker, the Mighty Mack has breaks and is foldable for easy storage.

 

If you have a DME myth you would like to share or would like a free DME assessment, email us at care@wilbeadme.com or fill out a DME assessment form from our website.

With Endless Caring,

WilBea

marshall

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