New U.S. D.O.T. Regulation Regarding Portable Oxygen Concentrators
A new US Department of Transportation regulation regarding portable oxygen concentrators took effect on May 13, 2009. Under this regulation, every FAA approved portable concentrator is now authorized for use during any commercial flight that takes off or lands in the US, regardless of whether the airline itself has approved the device or not.
Previously, airlines were allowed to refuse use during flight, even if the FAA had approved the product. As long as the patient has a physician’s statement of oxygen necessity that is signed within 10 days of the departure date, and the portable concentrator has an “FAA Approved” label on it, every airline must allow that patient to use the concentrator during flight.
As a result of the new regulation, Invacare is now applying “FAA Approved” labels to all of our XPO2™ Portable Oxygen Concentrators. In addition, “FAA Approved” labels are available for previously purchased XPO2 Portable Concentrators through Invacare service parts, as part number 1163456.
Invacare’s XPO2 Portable Concentrator is one of only seven devices currently approved by the FAA for in flight use. With travel season just beginning in the US and aggressive promotional pricing available, now is the time to the add the XPO2 Portable Oxygen Concentrator to your fleet of oxygen delivery devices!
Looking for more information about traveling with oxygen?
A special “Traveling with Oxygen” section has been added to our website to provide tips and information for traveling with oxygen. Be sure to direct your patients to Invacare. Travel when asking about traveling with the XPO2 Portable Concentrator.
Lori Luther is a Registered Repsiratory Therapist. She has been helping patients get started on CPAP therapy and Oxygen Therapy since graduating from Valencia College with a degree in Respiratory Therapy. She currently is the Lead RT at Colonial Medical Supplies. She can be reached by email at Lori.luther@colonialmed.com or 407-849-6455.
