DCGI issued an advisory to state drug controllers about the use of oxygen concentrators, know what is said

New Delhi: Due to Corona infection these days, the oxygen demand has increased a lot. For this reason, the demand for oxygen concentrators has also increased considerably. Regarding this, the Drug Controller General of India has written a letter to the drug controllers of the states and has advised ensuring that correct information is given about the oxygen concentrator.

Many people are not aware of these minimum standards of oxygen concentrators and may therefore be using a concentrator that is not suitable for coronavirus case management. This advisory has been issued to inform the public about the minimum standards of an oxygen concentrator for covid case management for use especially in domestic settings.

The Drug Controller General of India has advised that an oxygen concentrator with the following specifications can be used in a home setting: -

- Provides a continuous flow of concentrated oxygen (> 90%) from room air through an oxygen outlet.

- There is a minimum continuous supply of up to 5 liters per minute or more.

- Oxygen monitor is included.

- Digital or analog meter that can show the hours of device operation.

- An oxygen concentrator with a capacity of fewer than 5 liters per minute (for COVID care at home) cannot be sold under a misleading label.

- Consumables, user instructions and protocols, technical maintenance protocols have to be provided with the oxygen concentrator.

All vendors have also been advised to supply information in liters per minute, the percentage of oxygen that a concentrator generates and

Information about the maximum retail price should be displayed prominently.

The purpose of this advisory is to provide minimal parameters that must be verified by people before using the oxygen concentrator for COVID-19 case management in home settings.

The oxygen concentrator is an electronic medical device designed to concentrate oxygen from the atmosphere. These devices deliver oxygen to the bedside, oxygen therapy is usually given to the patient through a nozzle cannula or prongs.

The Ministry has from time to time advised that an oxygen concentrator with a flow capacity of 5 liters per minute or more and oxygen delivering Covid Care Center, Dedicated Covid Center, and Dedicated Covid Health with concentrations of 90% or more. Covid-19 in the center is suitable for the clinical management of patients. In a health center and home setting. The World Health Organization has also set these criteria for oxygen concentrations.