She is on 7L at rest and the transplant team is suggesting that it is too risky to transport her. We want to move closer to family and we already have a transplant facility lined up to take over her care. They are saying that her oxygen needs are too high. Is this true? Why can't she be flown? Her insurance is willing to pay for the transport but I am running into dead ends with the transplant team.
If the answer is no, could the family move closer to you, instead?
pressure. It is an oxidizing gas and vigorously accelerates combustion. Keep away from oils or grease. Rescue personnel should be aware of the extreme fire hazards associated with oxygen-enriched (greater than 23%) atmospheres, and that self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) may be required.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease retain carbon dioxide abnormally. If oxygen is administered to them, raising the oxygen concentration in the blood depresses their breathing and raises their retained carbon dioxide to a dangerous level.
The other problem is blood gases expand at higher altitude. This can be quite painful. Small children will cry in pain from ear "popping" (gas expansion) when the plane ascends. Your patient is at risk for pain similar to "the bends" as gases expand in flight.
So ask the MD's to spell it out for you, ask for the whole scenario in flight.
It won't be pretty.