PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Dinesen, Timothy
AU  - McDonald, Lee
AU  - McDonald, Sandy
AU  - DuVall, Donald
TI  - A Comparison of the OxyArm Oxygen Delivery Device and Standard Nasal Cannulae in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
DP  - 2003 Feb 01
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - 120--123
VI  - 48
IP  - 2
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/48/2/120.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/48/2/120.full
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Compare the performance of the OxyArm to that of nasal cannulae in the delivery of supplemental oxygen to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: We tested various oxygen flows with 10 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who were receiving prescribed supplemental oxygen. Blood oxygen saturation (measured via pulse oximetry [SpO2]), was measured with each device, and mean data were compared with paired, 2-sample t tests. RESULTS: Mean SpO2 was equivalent with OxyArm and nasal cannulae for 7 of the 10 subjects, over a range of oxygen flows (2-5 L/min). Mean SpO2 was higher with the OxyArm with 2 subjects and lower with 1 subject (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The OxyArm maintained stable SpO2 over the range of oxygen flows studied and at levels equivalent to those maintained by nasal cannulae in 9 of the 10 subjects. The OxyArm does not contact the face and may be ideal for patients on long-term home oxygen therapy.