For oxygen users in Nova Scotia

[chrisw]

The province will save more than half a million dollars a year through a new process for choosing home oxygen providers, while ensuring the same quality service for clients.

The Department of Health and Wellness issued a request for proposals earlier this year to save money and to make the process of contracting with vendors more open and transparent.

The province will save $340,000 this fiscal year and about $590,000 a year, beginning in 2012-13, as a result of setting a competitive price, decreasing the cost for services rendered.

"We want Nova Scotians to receive good health care at an appropriate and reasonable cost to taxpayers," said Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health and Wellness. "Home oxygen is a vital service to many seniors in this province and we want to be able to continue providing it to them."

As a result of the new process, some clients will change home oxygen providers, and all clients will have a minimum of two choices of providers. All clients will continue to receive the same quality and level of service at no additional cost.

Nova Scotia has about 1,200 home oxygen users, mostly seniors. Many are fully publicly funded, and saving money without affecting patient care is a vital condition of providing service.

More, including listing of chosen suppliers by area. at www.chrgonline.com/news_mail.asp?ID=159728

[shelley]

Sure hope we're not seeing in Canada the same changes they're getting in the U.S. My life, in particular, would be hell if I didn't have liquid. I see those using compressed gas and it's just a horror. No way anyone who is still ambulatory should be tied to one of those big tanks. Have a couple of friends in Quebec and all they can get is gas and the obvious has happened - though they are young - they are no longer ambulatory! Sad!

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Shelley..... Believe it or not but it was only last year or so that the N.S. provincial Govt here approved, for coverage, the "D" tanks.... so folks could get out and around. Pretty sad

[chrisw]

Good points, Shelley.

Unfortunately very few of our doctors realize just how limiting the wrong oxygen system can be, and how liberating a good liquid O2 system can be. Limiting a patients activity is totally counter to the practice of pulmonary rehab and maintaining fitness and exercise.

For those not familiar with the small 'wearable' size liquid oxygen portables:

The Helios is good www.heliosoxygen.com/

The Caire Spirit better (IMHO ;D ) www.cairemedical.com/ps_spirit.htm

The Smart Dose probably the best at the moment www.inspiredtechnologiesinc.com/site/index.php/products/lox-portables

The Philips Respironics Homelox could be the way of the future see www.healthcare.philips.com/main/homehealth/respiratory_care/golox/default.wpd The portable itself is said to be excellent and the Homelox unit itself would give independance from the supplier cut-backs.

[dorothy]

wow. thanks so much for this info. Where I live, there is no rehab no nuthin, My doc's practice is so huge, he has no time for chit-chat. Whatever I learn, I glean on line. thank you.dot

[Elsa Anders]

a couple of years ago I got liquid O2 in Moncton. I am visiting my son in Nova Scotia, is there in liquid here? I have a Helios system and will run out soon.elsa

[hugahusky]

Contact Glen Bourque at 902-222-2534 or e-mail [e-mail]. He is my O2 supplier and is located just outside Halifax. Also he is a respiratory therapist at the QE II.

I have seen people with liquid O2 n this area.

Hope this helps