**2.6 Use of oxygen concentrator**

In Home Care, it is classically recommended to use oxygen concentrators instead of oxygen cylinders in order to reduce the risks related to the physical factors of explosion and of shortages due to delayed cylinder substitution. During the pandemic, the scarcity of oxygen and gas cylinders for recharging was intense in Brazil, but Home Care treatment managed to safely keep oxygen therapy in the homes due to having oxygen concentrators in most households. There was no need for hospitalization of patients because of lack of oxygen. All patients were able to be safely maintained under home oxygen therapy and, additionally, more patients under oxygen therapy could be transferred to home care, contributing to the availability of hospital beds for more severe patients (**Figure 8**).
