Lung Sask has been informed by some SHA counterparts that there have been a few issues with the Nellcor Analytics Tool (NAT) software with the recent Windows 11 upgrade. Some may not be able to download spot checks. Medtronic Canada is aware and has reported this software may become obsolete with newer upgrades.

Workstations/computers that are utilizing the NAT software will be excluded from the Microsoft 11 update.

If your workstation was upgraded and you use the NAT for uploading and are experiencing issues please reach out to e-Health contact, carolyn.burton@saskhealthauthority.ca. 

A new Provincial Respiratory Support Referral form has been created as part of the COPD Pathway. You will begin to see this form in use as it is introduced gradually across the province. Any questions regarding this, please email amy.reid@saskhealthauthority.ca or speak with your manager.

The current version, which will continue to evolve, is available at the below link.

Many patients find using portable oxygen concentrators, or POCs, to be helpful when needing supplemental oxygen away from home. POCs are generally light, small and quiet. They work similarly to home concentrators by extracting oxygen from the surrounding air and turning it into condensed oxygen for you to breathe. 

A POC uses a rechargeable battery that is connected to the bottom of the device. The battery life will depend on the flow and respiratory rates. POCs can be conveniently recharged by plugging the cord into a power source. The display will tell you how much battery life is left.

There are several models of portable oxygen concentrators on the market. POCs deliver oxygen by pulse dose in bursts when inhaling through the nose. If someone is a mouth breather, they will not be able to use this device, which also means that POCs SHOULD NOT be used for nocturnal testing. 

Another consideration is that the pulse dose may be different than a continuous flow setting. The numbers on the POC DO NOT correlate with the flow rate on a concentrator or tank. ie. 2 LPM on a tank might be a 5 on the POC. The health professional from the home oxygen company can be consulted to ensure a client's needs are being met and to learn about each type of POCs and their specifications. Unfortunately, people with high flow needs will not be able to use a POC as they generally only go up to 2 or 3 LPM. 

POCs are an amazing device for those that are able to use them. The home oxygen company will assess if this device is best for the client. The SAIL and NIHB programs do have funding options for POCs. Connect with your client's home oxygen company if you have any concerns or questions about POCs.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Lungs, Inspired Breathing hosts, Lori and Trent, are joined by Lung Saskatchewan nurses and respiratory educators Jill and Jaimie to talk about wildfires. Listen in to find out who is most at risk when air quality is poor due to wildfires, and what to do to stay well both indoors and outdoors.

This episode is sponsored in part by SaskEnergy. Thank you to CTV Saskatoon for promoting this episode. Available June 18.