How often should I replace my oxygen tubing and cannulas?
Tubing and cannulas are two of the most important parts of oxygen concentrators. Without them, the oxygen concentrator can't deliver oxygen to your lungs. Since these parts are so essential to your health and safety, it’s important to know how often you should replace your cannulas and supply tubing to keep your medical oxygen concentrator working at its best.
In this article, the team at Oxygen Parts Inc. will be answering this question and many more to help you stay informed and take control of your health. Keep reading to learn how often you should replace your oxygen tubing and nasal cannulas, and feel free to contact us with any further questions!
Oxygen Parts Inc. only carries medical-grade parts to ensure the health and safety of our clients. Don't risk your safety by buying cheap tubing and cannulas from online marketplaces. Plus, get FREE Shipping within the US when you order $50 or more in disposables like tubing, cannulas, humidifiers, and more!
Is replacing oxygen tubing and cannulas really necessary?
The short answer is a resounding "Yes!"
Oxygen concentrator tubing and nasal cannulas are intended to be replaced regularly, not just for optimal performance and comfort but also for your health. As tubing and cannulas get older, they become hardened and uncomfortable.
More importantly, worn-out tubing and cannulas can be a breeding ground for bacteria when used for extended periods of time. For these reasons, it is extremely important for your own safety to replace your oxygen tubing and cannulas regularly.
When should you replace your oxygen supply tubing and cannulas?
For your health, safety, and comfort, should replace:
- Nasal cannulas every two weeks
- Oxygen supply tubing every two months
And it goes without saying, if a cannula or tubing is damaged or compromised in any way, with visible contaminants, punctures, leaks, etc., you should replace it right away.
Do tubing and cannula brands matter?
Yes! Rather than carry a wide range of products of varying quality and price points, we choose to only carry products that are in the best interests of our clients when it comes to safety, quality, and value for their money. When it's time to replace your cannulas and tubing we always recommend Salter Labs products, which are preferred by hospitals and medical professionals due to their quality and comfort.
Why Salter Labs tubing and cannulas?
Salter Labs has been around since 1976, as long as the oxygen concentrator industry. Salter Labs's cannulas are ultra soft and preferred by clients for their comfort. The green Salter Labs supply tubing comes in many lengths ranging from 7 feet to 100 feet so you can freely move around your home without losing access to oxygen.
Salter Labs products are also latex-free, which is important if you have a latex allergy. We provide material data sheets on the products we sell, which you can find on the product pages, so you can take control of your own health when purchasing supplies for your oxygen concentrator.
Many of our clients come to us after ordering tubing and cannulas from online marketplaces like Amazon only to find they contained contaminants and unknown powders. This is why we only recommend and sell brands that have a proven track record in the medical industry and that we have vetted to be the best.
Choosing the right nasal cannula
Finding the best cannula: Oxygen Parts Inc. only carries the Salter Labs ultra soft nasal cannulas, so finding the right cannula is easy.
Choosing the right cannula length: When it comes to the length of the cannula, you want to choose one that's right for the oxygen concentrator you're using. For portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) we recommend 4-foot or 7-foot cannulas.
Make sure your cannula is properly connected and free of any kinks or obstructions.
Choosing the right supply tubing
Finding the best tubing: When it comes to supply tubing, we again recommend the Salter Labs green supply tubing, which is kink resistant and is easier to see in your home.
Choosing the right tubing length: Supply tubing is primarily used with stationary oxygen concentrators and can range from 7 feet to 100 feet in length.
The right supply tubing length depends on what works best for you and the size of your home environment. For example, we've had clients tell us the supply tubing provided by their previous supplier didn't reach long enough for them to use the restroom in their home without losing access to oxygen. Therefore, it's important that you purchase a length that allows you to freely move around all areas of your home.
As with your cannula, take a moment to make sure that everything is securely attached and that there are no leaks or kinks in both your cannula and tubing.
The best place to buy tubing and cannulas online
Whether you’re in need of tubing, nasal cannulas, humidifiers, or pulse oximeters, Oxygen Parts Inc. is a trusted place to buy oxygen concentrators supplies online. We offer fast and FREE Shipping on tubing and disposables orders over $50, making it easy and affordable to get the medical supplies you need.
Plus, we have over 40 years' experience in the oxygen industry, so when you buy from Oxygen Parts Inc., not only can you be sure that you're getting quality, medical-grade products, you're also getting expert support and advice from a company with experience dating back to the beginnings of portable oxygen technology.
We carry only genuine parts
Don't risk damaging your machine with 3rd party accessories parts that may not fit properly. We carry all the genuine parts and accessories for your Inogen and Oxygo concentrator. If you can't find a part or accessory on our website, feel free to get in touch with us to help you find what you need.
We're here to help
If you need help choosing the right concentrator for your lifestyle or finding the right parts or accessories for your exisiting concentrator, don't hesitate to contact us.