TABLE 2 Devices Used for Oxygen Delivery

Device Features Advantages Disadvantages Indications

Nasal  Low flow (1 – 6  Simple to use  Imprecise FiO2  Mildly hypoxaemic
prongs L/min  Does not  Maximum FiO2 < patients
 FiO2*0.24 – 0.40 interfere with 40%  Patients with history
(approximately 3 – talking or of retaining CO2
4%/L) eating
 FiO2 delivered is  Better
variable Compliance

Simple Face  Low flow (5 – 10  Provide higher  Less comfortable  Moderately

Mask L/min) FiO2 than nasal  Interferes with hypoxaemic patients
 FiO2 0.35 – 0.50 prongs talking and eating not known to have
(approximately 3 –  May cause CO2 chronic obstructive
4%/L) rebreathing if pulmonary disease
flow is set too low (COPD)
 Variable delivered
FiO2

Venturi  Provides oxygen  More precise  Needs two  Controlled oxygen

Mask flow up to 15 L/min FiO2 settings and therapy e.g. for type
 FiO2 0.24 – 0.50  Maximum FiO2 higher risk of 2 failure from COPD
0.50 errors in
application**
 Poorer
compliance
 CO2 rebreathing
possible if flow
rate inadequate
 Difficult to talk
and eat
Non-  Oxygen flow at 15  Higher FiO2  Poorer  Acutely unwell
rebreather L/min compared to compliance patients who
mask  FiO2 0.70 – 0.100 above devices  Obstruct access to require high
 Valves on bag mouth FiO2 to correct
prevent  Claustrophobic hypoxaemic
rebreathing of
expired air

High-flow High humified flow up  Simple to use  No ventilatory  Hypoxaemic

nasal to 60 L/min and FiO2 of and monitor support on respiratory
cannula 1.0  High patient inspiration failure
tolerance and  Lack for evidence
Has low level of PEEP comfort when higher PEEP  Weaning off
 No required ventilator
Decreased upper interruption in  Only useful for
airway resistance oxygen during type 1 respiratory
 oral feeding failure; limited
Tracheal air washout  Reduce evidence for type
metabolic 2
work in
warming and
humidifying
inspired air
Partial  Oxygen flow at  partial  Poorer  Acutely unwell
Rebreather 6-10 L/min rebreather compliance patients who
Mask  FiO2 0.6-0.8 mask looks  Obstruct access to require high
similar to a mouth FiO2 to correct
non-  Claustrophobic hypoxaemic
rebreather  May cause CO2
mask rebreathing if
 contains a flow is set too low
two-way valve
between the
mask and
reservoir bag