An oxygen concentrator makes oxygen from room air and runs on electricity, while an oxygen tank holds a ready oxygen supply. A nebulizer turns liquid medication into a mist you breathe in. Your doctor sets the oxygen level and the medication. Med Sklep in Brooklyn carries concentrators, tanks and nebulizers.
When a doctor orders oxygen at home or breathing treatments, families tend to have a lot of questions. Which device is the right one? Where should it go? Is it safe to have oxygen in the apartment?
Below we answer the practical questions about equipment, placement and day-to-day use. This is not medical advice. Whether oxygen is needed, how much and for how long is decided only by the doctor.
What is the difference between an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen tank?
A concentrator is an electric device. It draws in room air, separates out the oxygen and delivers it through tubing (a nasal cannula) or a mask. It never needs refilling, but it does need a steady power supply.
A tank, also called an oxygen cylinder, holds a ready supply of oxygen and works without electricity. Once it is empty, it has to be replaced or refilled. Tanks are often used away from home or kept as a backup in case of a power outage.
Which option fits your situation depends on the doctor’s orders. Med Sklep carries both oxygen concentrators and oxygen tanks, so you can ask about the practical differences in person, in Polish.
Who decides on home oxygen therapy?
The doctor. The doctor determines whether oxygen is needed, at what flow rate and for how many hours a day, and puts it in the orders or on the prescription.
Do not change the device settings on your own, even if the patient feels better or worse. If that happens, contact the doctor.
Where should an oxygen concentrator go at home?
The device pulls in air from the room, so it should not sit inside a tight cabinet or right against a wall. The manufacturer’s manual lists the exact clearances and operating conditions, so read it before the first use.
- Outlet: the concentrator needs constant power; check the manual on whether an extension cord is allowed.
- Tubing: route it so no one trips over it.
- Noise: the machine runs all the time, so placement in the bedroom matters.
- Power outage plan: ask the doctor what to do if the power goes out, and ask the store about a backup tank.
How do I use oxygen safely at home?
Oxygen does not burn by itself, but it makes fire burn much more intensely. That is why no one should smoke or light candles near oxygen, and it should be kept away from gas stoves and any other open flame.
Store tanks as the manual instructs: secured so they cannot tip over and away from heaters. Everyone in the household, and visitors, should know there is oxygen in the home. The equipment manufacturer always provides the detailed safety rules.
What does a nebulizer do?
A nebulizer turns liquid medication into a fine mist that you breathe in through a mouthpiece or mask. The doctor prescribes the medication and the dose. The device itself does not treat anything; it only delivers what was prescribed.
Clean the nebulizer after each use according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Each person in the household who uses breathing treatments should have their own mouthpiece or mask. Med Sklep carries nebulizers, and you can ask about the kit at the store in Polish.
Will my health plan cover an oxygen concentrator or a nebulizer?
That depends on your plan and your medical documentation, not on the store. Med Sklep works with Medicaid, Medicare and other plans and helps you check eligibility, so the equipment is free or has a low copay when the plan allows it. Call with your prescription and insurance card in hand: 718-388-3355.
If the patient spends most of the day in bed, see our guide to hospital beds for home care. For mobility equipment, read our guide to choosing a wheelchair, scooter or walker. Equipment can also be shipped to family in another state or in Poland, since the store ships within the U.S. and to Poland.
You can find oxygen concentrators, oxygen tanks and nebulizers at Med Sklep (M.A. Surgical Supplies Inc.), 188 Woodpoint Rd #1C, Brooklyn, NY 11211. The store is open Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM, and is closed on weekends. Call to ask about home oxygen equipment: 718-388-3355.
Store details and contact information are listed in the Med Sklep profile in the Polish Pages directory.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Your doctor decides on oxygen therapy, breathing medications and the type of equipment, and your health plan or insurer decides on coverage.
