Life-saving HFNO uses more oxygen: Doctor

NAGPUR: After the state health department made it clear that it has no intention to ration or restrict the use of oxygen in Covid hospitals, doctors have urged them to consider the additional consumption of oxygen in high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) devise before starting any audit of its use.
In the last few months, HFNO therapy has been established as a safe and efficient treatment for Covid patients.A single patient on high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) uses over 86,000 litres of oxygen per day. It is undoubtedly a lot, but it saves lives.
“Before going for O2 audit, IAS officers must understand where it is being used,” said Dr Rajesh Swarnkar, national general secretary of Indian Chest Society. “The widespread use of HFNO machines were never taken into consideration. The machine gives 100% oxygen at rate of 30-60 litres per minute,” he added.
“It has been clinically proved that intubation of ventilator should be avoided in case of Covid-19 patients. It could be deadly. HNFO has proved a life saver in such a scenario. Bureaucrats should rope in expert doctors on their panel before finalizing any decision on O2 audit,” said Dr Swarnkar.
Hospitals in Maharashtra have purchased a large number of HFNO sets in Covid times. Sanjay Kawthekar, who deals in HFNO for Vidarbha region, told TOI that the demand has gone up multifold. “These are life-saving gadgets. More consumption of oxygen should not be the issue when it is saving a life,” he said.
The state unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also came out strongly against state government on O2 audit plan. “Time and again we have emphasized to the government that the private doctors have been working with full zest and commitment. Please do not doubt about their intentions by saying that they are unnecessarily giving more oxygen for commercial gains,” reads a letter signed by IMA state president Dr Avinash Bhondve.
“We suggest you update all the doctors and hospitals about new guidelines,” IMA has stated.