Introduction to domiciliary oxygen therapy

The purpose of long-term domiciliary oxygen therapy is to prolong life.

Domiciliary oxygen therapy is prescribed for patients with chronic hypoxaemia, most commonly caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, and chronic neonatal lung disease in children (see here for information on domiciliary oxygen therapy in children).

Domiciliary oxygen therapy is usually prescribed by specialists; eligible prescribers, funding and clinical criteria for subsidised domiciliary oxygen therapy vary between Australian states and territories and, in some cases, from region to region within a state or territory. See Access to and funding for domiciliary oxygen therapy in Australia for more information.

The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) guidelines provide recommendations for when domiciliary oxygen is prescribed based on clinical criteria.

Domiciliary oxygen therapy should not be prescribed to treat breathlessness in the absence of hypoxaemia.

Domiciliary oxygen therapy is not prescribed in smokers because there is a potential risk of fire (see Contraindications to domiciliary oxygen therapy in adults).