Short Burst Oxygen Therapy (SBOT)

Under the new arrangements the assessment of oxygen patients will move away from general practice to specialist respiratory practitioners. However, GPs will still be required to order oxygen therapy for a sub group of patients who need oxygen for palliative care or for short burst needs.

SBOT refers to the intermittent use of supplemental oxygen at home usually for periods of about 10-20 minutes at a time to relieve dyspnoea. It is important to differentiate short burst oxygen therapy from the provision of continuous oxygen with exercise and termed ambulatory oxygen therapy. SBOT has been prescribed to relieve breathlessness where the patient is at rest or following exercise. A clinician may order SBOT for breathlessness that has not been relieved by other treatments for patients with severe COPD, lung disease and heart failure. A clinician may also order SBOT as symptomatic relief, e.g. as part of palliative care, cluster headaches.*

Depending upon the flow rate and duration, a high capacity cylinder is likely to be provided. Patients who require oxygen for short burst needs whilst away from home may also be supplied with a standard portable cylinder.

(* BTS clinicial component for the Home Oxygen Service in England and Wales)