Internal medicine

Organic chemistry

Intensive care medicine

Chemistry

Arterial blood

Supplemental oxygen

Oxygen therapy

Oxygen saturation

Pulmonary disease

Oxygen delivery

Anesthesia

Oxygen

Medicine

The Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Oxygen is one of the most widely used drugs. It is important to recognise that oxygen administration carries risks as well as benefits. While adequate oxygen saturation of arterial blood is an important factor in tissue oxygen delivery, oxygen administration to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can lead to decompensated type II respiratory failure. In this debate, Dr Lavery makes the case that high concentration oxygen should be given to all patients treated in an ambulance, while Professor Corris argues against this position.

Should we be giving high concentration oxygen to all patients treated in an ambulance?