The oxygen concentrator kit is designed to deliver concentrated oxygen to adult patients requiring oxygen therapy. The kit quantities are estimated for ten patients in rural healthcare facilities.  

The solution has been adapted from the WHO, Unicef and British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines.  

An oxygen concentrator is an electrically powered medical device designed to provide a continuous flow of high-purity oxygen from ambient air. The device draws in normal air, extracts nitrogen and provides an unlimited supply of oxygen. Oxygen concentrators are more suitable for rural healthcare facilities in a low resource setting and where oxygen cylinders and piped systems are unavailable. Even where oxygen supplies are available at health facilities, patient access may be limited due to missing accessories, inadequate electricity and a shortage of trained staff. 

Management of hypoxaemia (low blood oxygen saturation) among adults is crucial. Hypoxaemia is easily treated with oxygen and is perhaps the only medicine with no alternative agent. Therefore, having a reliable oxygen supply with other important accessories is essential for every healthcare facility. 

Important; Selecting proper equipment, delegating clinically trained staff and employing specialized technical staff for maintenance are critical. All reusable products should be thoroughly cleaned and either high-level disinfected or sterilized after each use.  

Oxygen should be prescribed by a doctor, using a drug chart or similar document and signed for at each drug round by trained staff. However, in emergency situations, high-flow oxygen should administer immediately via a reservoir (non-rebreathe) bag, without a prescription, but subsequent documentation should take place. 

Oxygen should be prescribed with a target saturation range. 

• The recommended oxygen target saturation range in patients not at risk of type II respiratory failure is 94–98%. 
• The recommended oxygen target saturation range in patients at risk of type II respiratory failure is 88–92%. 

Additional Information 

Oxygen concentrator: Oxygen concentrator model must match the voltage and frequency of the purchasing country’s local power grid. User manual and additional training materials (checklists, videos, guides) should be supplied in at least one national official language for the country of intended use. The device response time (To reach maximum oxygen concentration) should be < 5 minutes. The labels and markings should be attached to the device where possible. The device's noise level should be low as possible. All spare parts for user fitting, both internal and external parts including filters should be supplied for at least two years. Always, recommended only one concentrator is plugged into a single surge suppressor (Due to start up current).  

Flowmeter: Flowmeter is used to split the output oxygen flow into several patients. However, the total distance from the concentrator to the patient’s bedside should not exceed 15 m (Oxygen flow rate can be affected over long distances).  In a single healthcare facility, it is recommended to have at least two flowmeters with each 0 - 10 LPM, plus minimum incremental 0.25 LPM. Accuracy of flowmeter should not be exceeded = +/- 10% 0r +/- 200 ml.     

Humidifier: Based on the oxygen concentrator model humidifier could connect to either the concentrator or flowmeter. Sterile, distilled or boiled water is recommended for humidifier.  

Oxygen face mask: Face masks are recommended for adults where FiO2 needs to be tightly controlled. In order to achieve adequate oxygen concentration, higher flows are required and also, higher flows prevent carbon dioxide accumulation. 

Oral-Nasal cannula: Oral-Nasal cannulas also named as nasal prongs and the prongs are the preferred method of delivering oxygen to infants and children < 5 years of age with hypoxaemia.  

Nasal or nasopharyngeal catheters: Nasal or nasopharyngeal catheters can be used as alternative delivery methods when nasal prongs are not available.  

Source: WHO Technical specifications and guidance & UNICEF Supply catalogue