Oxygen ~ Facts About Your Humidifier
A humidifier is often included as part of your oxygen equipment. A humidifier is a container that is filled with water and attached to the oxygen system to moisten the oxygen before you inhale it. Medical oxygen is completely dry, and breathing this completely dry gas may cause discomfort.
If you use a humidifier it MUST be kept clean at all times. Bacteria can grow in the water and on the wet surfaces in the moist environment of the humidifier. This bacteria growth can lead to infection.
Humidifier Care
- Empty, rinse and refill your humidifier everyday. Do not overfill. Wash hands before refilling humidifier. Be sure that the cap is screwed on to the bottle tightly enough to prevent leaks and that the humidifier fitting is properly attached to the oxygen equipment.
- Your humidifier should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized at least once a week, more often if ordered by your doctor or therapist.
- Disconnect the tubing to the cannula or mask and unscrew the humidifier fitting.
- Disassemble the humidifer; there are two parts (the bottle and the cap with the stem attached).
- Avoid touching any of the internal parts of your humidifier with your hands or allowing them to touch the surfaces of counter tops, sinks, etc. when you are adding water or when you are cleaning and sanitizing.