Getting to know oxygen concentrators and how they work for Covid-19 patientsKOMPAS.com - Indonesia has received assistance in the form of oxygen concentrators from a number of countries for handling the Covid-19 pandemic.With medical oxygen demand high and some countries struggling to meet demand, oxygen concentrators could be one solution.Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin revealed the national oxygen demand per day, amid the exponential spike in Covid-19 cases which reached 2,500 tons of oxygen per day."Our daily oxygen requirement was 400 tons before Eid al-Fitr, and now it has increased to 2,500 tons. Meanwhile, our production capacity is 1,700 tons per day," he said at the Presidential Office in Jakarta, Monday (26/7/2021).Also read: 7 Countries Send Oxygen Concentrator Aid to IndonesiaHis party plans to buy 20 thousand oxygen concentrators which will be distributed to all hospitals that have isolation rooms."Thus, patients who urgently need oxygen can breathe oxygen produced by oxygen concentrators," said.He hopes that the presence of an oxygen concentrator can reduce the need for large quantities of oxygen cylinders.Every 1,000 oxygen concentrators can produce nearly 20 tons of oxygen per day.Sadikin also reported that 17 thousand donations (oxygen concentrators) had started to arrive (in Indonesia).So, what is an oxygen concentrator and how does it work?Unlike medical oxygen which is supplied from industrial units via tubes, oxygen concentrators are devices that can be operated at home.Launching the Oxygen Concentrator Store, this device can work by plugging it into an electrical outlet or using a battery.The way this tool works is to filter the air in the room which initially consists of 80 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen.Then the oxygen concentrator uses that air, then filters it and converts it to 90 to 95 percent pure oxygen.The nitrogen is separated to give the patient the highest possible dose of oxygen.Also read: Government Receives Donation of 600 Oxygen Concentrator UnitsBroadly speaking, the work of the oxygen concentrator itself consists of the following 5 steps:There are many parts that make up a portable oxygen concentrator.Compressor and two filters are some of the main parts.One filter to take air from outside, while the next filter to deliver oxygen to the patientLater, the compressed air will move into the filter.This filter is responsible for separating nitrogen from the air.Another important part is the cooling system which keeps the portable oxygen concentrator from overheating.Oxygen concentrators can have oxygen production rates of up to 5 liters per minute (LPM).Also read: Refutation Period for the 2021 CPNS Administration Results, what do you need to know?This tool is also equipped with a panel to adjust the oxygen level needed by the patient.Furthermore, the patient can use a nasal cannula or a special mask that is connected to the device.When compared to liquid oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators are considered to be simpler and easier to carry.And can also be used at home.This tool also does not need to be refilled like liquid oxygen cylinders, it is also considered safer than liquid oxygen because it does not leak easily.The problem is that this tool requires an electrical connection so it cannot function if the electricity goes out or there is no electricity network.Although it can be used alone at home, patients who use this tool also need permission and get supervision from a doctor.Also read: Check, These are the Terms and Criteria for Recipients of Rp 1 Million Salary Subsidy BLTAn oxygen concentrator is needed when a person's oxygen saturation is below 94 percent, quoted from The Hindu.In that condition, a person usually requires hospitalization.However, the spike in Covid-19 cases and the limited supply of oxygen make these devices very helpful.This device can help those whose oxygen levels are between 88-92 percent if a person cannot access the hospital.Many oxygen concentrator products come with various specifications.For Covid-19 patients, devices with 5L-10L output are more recommended.The most important thing is that the device can provide air at least 90 percent pure oxygen.This oxygen concentrator is much safer than traditional oxygen cylinders which can cause a fire when it breaks or leaks.Write your comments with the hashtag #JernihBerkomentar and win e-vouchers for 90 winners!Get information and insight selected by Kompas.com editorsDouble check and complete your data.Your data will be used for account verification when you need assistance or when unusual activity is found on your account.Immediately complete your data to join the #JernihBerkomentar program.