Congratulations Patricia DeJuilio and team from Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital on the publication of this study! The Evaluation of Safety and Cost of an Open-Design Oxygen Mask in a Large Community Hospital highlights how OxyMask not only improves patient safety but also significantly reduces cost. Read more: https://thebetteroxygenmask.com/research-papers/

All hospital staff are affected by patient safety. A culture committed to patient safety ensures quality care. A closed oxygen mask may cause patient harm at inappropriate flow settings. Some masks require a minimum O2 flow to ensure CO2 is being flushed out of the mask. Rebreathing CO2 can lead to hypercapnia and even patient death. The OxyMask’s open design technology reduces the risk of CO2 rebreathing at oxygen flows as low as  1 LPM. During exhalation, the mask openings allow expired carbon dioxide to escape. These openings also minimizes the potential of emesis being aspirated. Learn more about the safety benefits of OxyMask: http://thebetteroxygenmask.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Patient-Safety-Sell-Sheet.pdf    

New educational tools are now available https://thebetteroxygenmask.com/clinical-education/. There are three new in service videos, handouts, online quiz, and more! Contact our sales and marketing department for support on your next training sessions at oxymask@southmedic.com.  

OxyMask is getting new packaging! The new packaging is colour coded so choosing the correct size can be done quickly. All sizes available are illustrated in the top right corner. Size and functionality of mask is clearly described.

Respiratory Therapists play a significant role in the health and wellbeing of their patients. They are responsible for making sure patients are comfortable, safe and compliant with oxygen therapy and are dedicated to helping them benefit from treatment. When treating patients on oxygen therapy, many RT’s are challenged with finding the most appropriate oxygen therapy device to best suit their needs. Why RTs choose OxyMask … OxyMask is one of the latest breakthroughs in advanced oxygen delivery technology. It features an open design that is ideal for patients whose oxygen requirements vary throughout their hospital stay. Clinicians can respond to a patient’s changing oxygen needs simply by increasing or decreasing oxygen meter flow from 1 litre per minute (lpm) up to flush (>15 lpm) to deliver 24%-90% FiO2 and maintain the desired SpO2. OxyMask is designed to deliver a broad range of oxygen in a safe and effective manner. OxyMask is the ideal solution many of the issues RTs are faced with today. Read more about the features and benefits of OxyMask -> LEARN MORE

The primary factor of oxygen therapy success is if patients are compliant with their prescribed care plan. Oxygen therapy compliance can help patients avoid hospitalization. Patients are often not compliant with their oxygen therapy because: They start to feel better, and they discontinue their therapy They are not confident on how to use the equipment properly The oxygen therapy device is uncomfortable Skin irritation occurs after prolonged usage RTs can help patients adhere to their oxygen therapy treatments by: Educating patients and their families about what is required and why Ensure patients are confident in how to use the equipment Frequently checking in on patients to ensure oxygen therapy is being used safely and correctly Finding the most appropriate interface to best suit each patient individually Oxygen therapy is an essential part of respiratory care and is used as a medical treatment in both acute and chronic care settings. It is a fundamental treatment strategy for the majority of respiratory patients and is crucial to maintaining adequate cardiopulmonary health. It is the primary role of RT’s to make sure patients and their families are aware of the benefits of therapy as well as the risks associated with non-compliance.

Comfort is one of the most fundamental aspects of basic human necessity. It is an influential part of our daily decision making and is vital to the health and well being of every patient. Respiratory Therapists play an important role in providing a sense of safety and security for patients and their families, and are helpful in providing comfort in challenging situations. Along with other members of the health care team, RT’s are responsible for the physical and mental wellbeing of their patients and are dedicated to quality patient care and comfort. For an RT, making patients feel secure and limiting physical discomfort is a top priority. For example, homecare users may find that their nasal cannulas irritate their nose, or in the hospital, traditional closed masks can be humid, noisy and muffle communication. RTs are challenged to find ways to make oxygen therapy more comfortable as physical comfort is an essential part of patient compliance. For many patients, falling sick and seeking medical attention can be an unfamiliar and intimidating experience. It is up to their healthcare team to provide a safe and comfortable experience. Read how OxyMask is helping patients become more comfortable with their oxygen therapy inRead More…

Patient safety is the most important consideration in respiratory care and should  always be in the forefront of each decision made by the practitioner. It is the responsibility of the RT to ensure the care given to their patients follows the legal and ethical principles as mandated by their regulatory college. It is the RT’s obligation to avoid harm from coming to their patients while actively contributing to their health and wellbeing. It goes without saying that patient safety and quality care should be top priority for any healthcare practitioner. Every RT is dedicated to providing safe and effective care alongside doctors, nurses and other members of the healthcare team with a common goal of providing positive patient outcomes. Their responsibilities for patient safety include, but are not limited to, assessing the patients oxygen needs, choosing the correct respiratory therapy devices, setting oxygen flow and maintaining prescribed saturation. Continual assessment is required as patients oxygen needs fluctuate. As new respiratory products are introduced, RTs are challenged to stay up to date on what products are out there to help them keep patients safe.