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Has anyone given any thought that the virus could be breathed in through your portable oxygen concentrator? I am starting to think about this as restrictions are being relaxed. I use an Inogen and it has a couple of mesh filters and per the manual there is another one where you plug the cannula in that is not user accessible without a special wrench. I have not been able to find out if it is capable of filtering the virus particles out. Thanks in advance for any input anyone might have.
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Hi Sara,
I agree, this is a very valid concern and something many folks have raised through questions. If you contact the 02 provider or manufacturer regarding this question (ie. covid-19 coming through POC) please circle back and let us know. I know many will be curious about this…
Charlene. -
I called Main Street Supply a few weeks ago where I got my Imogen3 to ask about the capability of the machine to filter the COVID 19 virus. He said he was not aware of any research on the internal filter to filter viruses. Since it is basically sucking up the sir around you & sending it directly to the respiratory system, I have no confidence it can filter COVID. When I have to into somewhere I resort to my old tank & cart. It’s cumbersome but I feel safer than with my portable. Maybe someone can clarify this.
CH
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Hi Cornelia,
I am also hoping someone can verify this information through a credible source (ie. research, their physician, etc) as I think it would be interesting to know. While I am not out hardly at all, this is something others using a POC should be mindful of. Good idea to resort back to the tanks, as heavy and cumbersome as they are. If you hear any more information on this, please circle back and let us know and I’ll do the same. Hopefully others can too!
Stay safe,
Charlene. -
I made some phone calls and sent some emails. Inogen has yet to respond however Phillips returned an email and said unfortunately “No the filters will not filter out vivid 19 particles”
I would guess that the filters are pretty much the same on all POC. If or when I should get additional information I will update all of you here.
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How did your flight go @jim-foley? I hear the airports are using a lot of technology (in some cases, even thermal readings to identify fevers) to help keep us safe. While a pain in the neck, it is reassuring too that they’re on top of preventing the spread of COVID as much as I they can. I hope your flight went well!
Charlene. -
I agree @katee, this can all be very scary for us! That said, I’d really want to learn whether or not this is true from a physician, and even more so, what the risk is (ie. high/low/are there things we can do to mitigate that risk, etc). I think more information is needed about how much risk can come from breathing in the virus through our POC. Everyone is learning so much about it.
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Now that my city has opened up, I thought I’d check my POC vendor’s COVID-19 guidance. I use an Inogen One G2. Their FAQs page says it does NOT filter out the virus droplets, but didn’t say not to use it. Gives instructions about sanitizing it, but no usage precautions. So I called and the CSR checked their FAQs and agreed that their POCs shouldn’t be used in crowded, public places.
A POC sucks in air, converts it to oxygen and delivers it to your lungs directly. If COVID-19 is in the air around you, it does no good to have a mask on because the oxygen you receive doesn’t come from breathing through your mouth or nose.
I know we wear masks primarily to protect other people if we have the virus and don’t realize it. But an effective mask does provide the wearer some increased protection.
So, if i’m going to be in a situation where I can’t practice social distancing, I’m going to drag out my tanks and wear my mask.
Stay safe.
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Thanks for sharing this information with us @tmoriarty ! I know this has been a topic on the minds of many of us as we begin to venture out, as some restrictions ease. I appreciate the time you took to circle back and report the information you heard from your POC provider, thank you. Like you, I think I’ll try to use my tanks in situations where I can’t socially distance, as it just seems safer for us at this time. I hope you’re doing well and thanks again for sharing.
Charlene. -
I don’t know if this helps or not but ever since the beginning of the pandemic I have been using hand sanitizer on the nasal prongs of my POC, before use and after, I just let it dry a little, as I always assumed that it didn’t filter out the virus, is this a safe practise, no idea but it eases my mind.
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Hey Susan,
In theory this is a really good idea, so I totally understand why you would have done this. However, be really careful with hand-sanitizer on your cannula as it has alcohol in it, which is extremely flammable. Unlikely to have anything happen, but it could, similar to Vaseline, which they say never to put on your nose while using your cannula (not because of alcohol, but another ingredient in Vaseline is extremely flammable). The alcohol, over time, in the hand sanitizer, could also potentially degrade the plastic of the cannula. Just something to think about ….
Char.
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I had the same concerns and discussed them with my doctor. He said that I should use a green O2 tank if I have to be outside around people as he expressed the same concerns. My husband tried to figure out if he could add a carbon filter to the intake areas beneath the mesh but he quickly realized that it would restrict the air to be concentrated for breathing too much so it would be better to just plan on using a green tank.
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Hi Suzanne,
Thank you so much for sharing your doctor’s recommendations on which tank to us amid the fears of the virus being breathed in through the 02 tank/POC. Is the green one you’re referring to the size (ie. D vs. E) or the type of respirator valve? I think we might measure it/describe tanks differently here in Canada, but the top of my E tank is green so I’m curious about whether this is what your doctor means. Really interesting, thanks for sharing!
Char. -
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I now have a POC that uses liquid oxygen so no POC sucking in all the germs and viruses around, so happy about that as the virus is on the rampage in Europe. Hated the thought of being in hospital at the moment but so very glad I went in. Was on 2 litres per minute when moving and 2 litres at rest. That was in late July of this year now on 6 litres per min when moving and still on the 2 litres at rest, oh my I feel alive again, no more plunging down to 55 in blood oxygen when I moved. Fibrosis much worse but sadly we all know these lung diseases are progressive. Walked my dogs for the first time in months, 3kms, so I had to stop 4 times to get my breathe back but was elated with this achievement. Now I know I can safely go into a supermarket, still in the lunch hour though, and not suck in all the microbes around me. Great big O2 tanks are no design feature but who cares I can breathe especially with the little POC and its liquid O2, looks similar to an ordinary POC, has any one else got one of these, I fill it from the big cylinders.?
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Hi Mary Lou,
Thanks for writing, I’m so glad you chimed in and shared your thoughts on this topic! I also name my POC and 02 tanks 🙂 Putting a mask on would be comical for sure, and would potentially protect any virus particles getting through, just ensure the machine doesn’t overheat if the filter is covered 😉
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Hi Susan,
I’m so happy you went in as well, I can’t imagine how terrible you felt with your sats dropping to 55! Now that you have your 02 need adjusted, I would imagine it feels a lot better physically and mentally/emotionally being able to walk your dogs again is great news. Getting liquid 02 has become nearly impossible for many patients in North America so its great you have this option. Enjoy and I hope you continue to feel as well as possible!
Char.
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