Guideline alert: British thoracic society emergency oxygen use in adult patients

Abstract

In 2008 the British Thoracic Society produced the first guideline on the emergency use of oxygen. The main focus of the guideline is attempting to debunk the myth that where oxygen is concerned ‘more is better’ introducing the concept of target oxygen saturations, with target saturations of 94–98 % being recommended for most patients and 88–92 % in those at risk of type 2 respiratory failure. The guideline acknowledges that high concentration oxygen is likely to be beneficial in critical illness and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The aim of this article is to draw further attention to this guideline in the hope that compliance with its recommendations can be further improved.