Oxygen: Can we prescribe it correctly?

Introduction: Oxygen is one of the most common drugs used in secondary care. It is often used incorrectly on hospital wards, and it has been suggested that prescribing oxygen would facilitate correct administration. However, the knowledge of hospital doctors who would prescribe oxygen, and that of nurses who administer it, has not been tested.

Methods: A questionnaire was prepared to test a person's knowledge of oxygen delivery devices and their use in different clinical scenarios. This questionnaire was given to 30 junior doctors and 53 nurses working on an acute medical ward in a district general hospital.

Results: The majority of doctors and nurses could not identify less commonly used oxygen delivery devices, such as a non-rebreathing mask with reservoir bag. A quarter of the doctors and nearly half the nurses were unable to select the correct dose and method of administration of oxygen in the event of cardiorespiratory arrest. The majority prescribed oxygen wrongly in the various clinical scenarios that dealt with respiratory failure.

Conclusion: Junior doctors and nurses do not have sufficient knowledge and understanding of oxygen therapy to be able to prescribe the drug appropriately and safely.