How to Buy Oxygen Concentrators for Hospitals, Clinics and Nursing Homes

If you are buying oxygen concentrators for a hospital, clinic or nursing home, your first question may be whether you need 5 LPM, 10 LPM or 20 LPM units. But flow capacity alone will not tell you whether the equipment can support your facility safely and reliably.

You also need to know how many patients may require oxygen at the same time, how long the equipment will operate each day, whether your electrical supply is stable, which compliance documents your market requires, and how quickly the supplier can provide technical support and spare parts.

This guide takes you through those decisions in the same order you are likely to face them—from estimating demand and choosing capacity to checking documents, comparing suppliers and preparing a request for quotation.

1. Is an Oxygen Concentrator the Right Source for Your Facility?

An oxygen concentrator draws in room air, removes much of the nitrogen and supplies oxygen-enriched gas. You do not need to send it away for routine refilling as you would with a cylinder. However, the unit depends on electricity, ventilation and regular preventive maintenance.

Before you request prices, decide what role the concentrators will play in your oxygen system. Are you buying them as the main oxygen source for a small clinic, as movable bedside equipment for a nursing home, as distributed capacity for selected hospital departments, or as part of a backup and surge plan?

The UNICEF Oxygen System Planning Tool recommends calculating facility-level demand before comparing oxygen-source options. Depending on your volume and infrastructure, your most suitable solution may be concentrators, cylinders, liquid medical oxygen, an on-site PSA plant or a combination of sources.

2. What Does Your Type of Facility Need?

If you are buying for a hospital

You may need oxygen concentrators for emergency areas, general wards, step-down care, outpatient departments or temporary surge capacity. Your decision therefore goes beyond maximum flow. You need to know how many units may run simultaneously, whether they are designed for your expected operating hours, and what happens if one unit requires service.

Before you finalize the specification, bring together the people who will prescribe, operate, maintain and approve the equipment. This will usually include clinical staff, biomedical engineers, procurement, facilities management and infection control.

If you intend to use one concentrator for more than one patient, ask the manufacturer to confirm whether the exact model and accessory configuration support that use. You need approved flow-distribution equipment, independent flow control and appropriate patient monitoring. Do not improvise a splitter because the total displayed flow appears sufficient.

If you are buying for a clinic or outpatient center

You may not need the largest machine. You may benefit more from a reliable unit that is easy for your staff to operate, provides clear alarms and has filters and service parts that you can obtain without long delays.

Base your purchase on peak demand rather than your average day. If two treatment positions may require oxygen at the same time, a system sized for only one user could leave you without enough capacity when you need it most. Also consider whether you can continue operating when the primary unit is being serviced.

If you are buying for a nursing home or elderly-care center

Your equipment may operate for long periods in resident rooms. Noise, mobility and simple controls therefore affect daily use as much as headline flow capacity. Check the quality of the wheels and handle, the length and management of the power cord, the sound level under stated test conditions and the cleaning instructions.

Your staff also need a clear response plan. They should know what each alarm means, how to position the machine for ventilation, when to clean or replace filters, what basic checks they can perform and when to move to a backup oxygen source.

Whatever your facility type, your team must administer oxygen according to a qualified clinician’s prescription and your own clinical protocols. The supplier’s marketing material cannot determine the flow required by an individual patient.

3. How Many Oxygen Concentrators Do You Need?

Start with a simple demand table for each ward, treatment area or group of resident rooms. Record how many people may use oxygen simultaneously, the prescribed flow range for those users, how many hours the equipment may run and whether demand is continuous or intermittent.

This calculation gives you a starting point, not a final system design. You still need an operating margin and a redundancy plan for power failure, preventive maintenance and unexpected breakdowns. Your appropriate margin depends on clinical risk, local rules, repair capability and the availability of cylinders or another oxygen source.

For example, suppose your clinic may have three simultaneous users at 3 LPM each. The arithmetic demand is 9 LPM. That does not automatically mean you should buy one 10 LPM machine. You still need to answer four questions:

1. Is the model suitable for the intended multi-user configuration?
2. How will you control and verify the flow to each user?
3. What oxygen source will you use during a power failure?
4. Can you continue operating when that single machine is offline for maintenance?

Depending on your answers, two or more units may provide better operational flexibility than one larger machine. Your final configuration should be reviewed by qualified clinical and biomedical personnel.

4. Should You Choose 5 LPM, 10 LPM or 20 LPM?

When you search for equipment, you will often see products grouped by maximum flow. This is useful, but it can lead you to compare only the largest number on the page. You should compare the oxygen concentration at that rated flow, outlet pressure, duty cycle, alarms, noise, power consumption and validated operating conditions at the same time.

You can review OLIVE’s continuous medical oxygen concentrator range, which includes categories from 1 LPM through 20 LPM. If you are considering 5 LPM, 8 LPM, 10 LPM or 20 LPM equipment, ask for the current model datasheet and compliance documents rather than assuming that every model has the same specifications or market coverage.

5. Which Technical Specifications Should You Compare?

Rated continuous flow

Confirm that the quoted capacity is continuous flow, not a pulse setting or an unclear “equivalent” value. Ask for the adjustable range, flow accuracy and number of outlets. Make sure the quotation reflects performance at the maximum flow you intend to use.

Oxygen concentration at the flow you will use

Do not buy based only on a headline such as “up to 96% purity.” Ask for the specified oxygen concentration and tolerance at minimum, nominal and maximum flow, together with stabilization time and test conditions. This lets you compare the actual operating point you need rather than two unrelated marketing claims.

Outlet pressure and equipment compatibility

Flow and pressure are not the same specification. Ask for both. If you plan to connect the concentrator to another medical device or distribution accessory, obtain written compatibility confirmation for the exact configuration from the relevant manufacturer and your biomedical team.

Expected operating hours and maintenance cycle

Tell the supplier how many hours you expect the unit to run each day. Ask whether the model is designed for continuous operation, how it records operating hours and which preventive-maintenance tasks are required. You should also request the expected service requirements for filters, compressor components and sieve beds under your local conditions.

Alarm system

Ask the supplier to list every visual and audible alarm on the quoted model. Depending on the design and applicable requirements, these may include power failure, low oxygen concentration, abnormal pressure, high temperature, flow interruption or compressor fault. Also ask how each alarm is tested during production and routine maintenance.

Noise in the real use environment

If the machine will operate in a resident room, consultation room or overnight ward, noise can affect acceptance. Compare sound measurements only when the supplier states the test distance and operating condition. A bare dB value without a test method is not a reliable basis for comparison.

Power requirements

Confirm voltage, frequency, plug type, rated power and compatibility with your electrical system. If your site experiences outages or voltage fluctuations, have a qualified engineer size an appropriate UPS, generator or alternative oxygen source. Do not add a battery or voltage stabilizer without checking compatibility and required capacity.

Temperature, humidity, dust and altitude

Your site conditions can affect concentrator performance. Compare the manufacturer’s validated operating range with your actual temperature, humidity, dust and elevation. UNICEF’s oxygen concentrator target product profile highlights environmental performance and electrical infrastructure as important procurement considerations, especially in demanding or resource-limited settings.

Accessories and infection control

Ask for a complete list of included and optional items. This may include filters, tubing, cannulas, masks, approved humidification accessories and flow-distribution components. Confirm which items are reusable, which are single-patient use, how they should be cleaned or replaced and whether you can source replacements locally.

6. Which Compliance Documents Should You Verify?

Your required documents depend on the destination country, intended use and tender specification. Do not treat a factory certificate, product test report and market authorization as interchangeable. Ask the supplier to connect every document to the exact legal manufacturer, production site, model and configuration you plan to buy.

Your document review may include:

• ISO 13485 quality-management-system certificate covering the relevant organization, site and scope
• EU Declaration of Conformity and applicable EU MDR documentation for the European market
• FDA establishment, device-listing and applicable premarket information for the United States
• IEC 60601-1 electrical safety evidence
• IEC 60601-1-2 electromagnetic-compatibility evidence
• ISO 80601-2-69 evidence for the basic safety and essential performance of oxygen concentrator equipment
• Risk-management, labeling and instructions-for-use documentation
• Authorized representative and importer information where required

The UNICEF oxygen concentrator target product profile identifies ISO 80601-2-69, IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, ISO 13485 and risk-management requirements among relevant procurement considerations. Because accepted editions and national requirements may change, have your regulatory team verify the versions currently recognized in your target market.

You can review OLIVE’s published certificate information, but you should still request the document package for your selected model and destination country. A genuine certificate may still be irrelevant if it covers a different company, factory, model or product configuration.

7. How Should You Evaluate a Supplier?

By this stage, you should have a clearer idea of your required capacity and documents. Your next task is to determine whether the supplier can deliver the same product quality across the full order and support you after delivery.

Confirm who is manufacturing your equipment

• Is the company the legal manufacturer, a contract manufacturer or a trading company?
• Which factory will produce your model?
• Is that factory included in the quality-system documents?
• How are raw materials, assembly and finished units inspected?
• Will you receive a serial number and model-specific test record?

Check whether the documents match the quotation

• Does the datasheet show the same model and specifications as the quotation?
• Can the supplier provide the user manual, labeling and packing list before shipment?
• Are the test reports traceable to the same model and configuration?
• If you need OEM branding, will your requested changes affect existing certificates or registrations?

Plan your after-sales support before you buy

• What does the warranty cover, and when does it begin?
• Which faults can the supplier diagnose by video or remote support?
• Will your technicians receive service manuals and training?
• Which spare parts should you purchase with the initial order?
• How long will filters, compressors, sieve beds, circuit boards and sensors remain available?
• What response time does the supplier commit to for technical questions?

Verify delivery capability

• What is the confirmed lead time for your quantity?
• Can the supplier support staged deliveries to several facilities?
• How will each unit be protected during international transport?
• Which Incoterm is included in the quotation?
• Which freight, import, customs and local delivery costs remain your responsibility?

OLIVE manufactures continuous medical oxygen concentrators and supports wholesale, OEM and institutional projects. You can use the OLIVE Download Center to review available catalogs and manuals. For procurement approval, request the current datasheet, compliance package, warranty terms, spare-parts proposal and production schedule for your selected model.

8. What Will Your Purchase Really Cost?

If two suppliers quote different unit prices, you still do not know which offer costs less over the equipment’s working life. You need to compare both quotations under the same delivery terms and include the cost of keeping the equipment operational.

If you are buying for several locations, using a smaller number of standardized models can simplify staff training and spare-parts inventory. However, do not force every facility to use the same capacity if their patient demand, power supply or environmental conditions are different.

9. What Should You Include in Your RFQ?

The more clearly you describe your project, the more useful the supplier’s recommendation will be. A detailed RFQ also makes it easier for you to compare quotations on the same basis.

RFQ template you can send to a supplier

We are purchasing medical oxygen concentrators for a [hospital/clinic/nursing home] in [country]. We expect up to [number] simultaneous users with prescribed flows of [range] LPM and approximately [hours] operating hours per day. Our power supply is [voltage/frequency], and the site is located at [altitude] with [temperature/humidity] conditions. Please recommend suitable models and quantities and provide rated flow, oxygen concentration at maximum flow, outlet pressure, alarm list, noise, power consumption, regulatory documents, warranty, spare-parts list, production lead time and a quotation under [Incoterm].

10. How Should You Compare the Final Bids?

Set your evaluation criteria before you make the final selection. Treat essential technical and regulatory requirements as pass-or-fail conditions. Then score the suppliers that pass those conditions on service, total cost and delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Final Buying Decision

The right oxygen concentrator is not simply the model with the highest flow or the lowest unit price. It is the configuration that meets your verified demand, performs under your local conditions, has the required documents for your market and can be maintained throughout its working life.

Before you approve your order, make sure you can answer five questions:

1. How many people may need oxygen at the same time?
2. What flow, pressure and operating hours do you need?
3. What will keep your oxygen supply available during power loss or maintenance?
4. Do the regulatory documents cover the exact model and destination market?
5. Can the supplier provide the training, spare parts and technical support you need?

If you send these requirements to OLIVE, our team can match them against the available continuous medical oxygen concentrators and recommend suitable models and quantities. You can then review the model-specific specifications, documents and commercial terms before making your final decision.