Patients’ Perspective on Automated Oxygen Administration during Hospitalization for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Qualitative Study Nested in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Figures & data

Table 1. Inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Inclusion criteria:	Exclusion criteria:
Primary diagnosis of COPD International Classification of Diseases [ICD] code J440, J441, J448, or J449 Age ≥ 35 year Admission due to AECOPD, based on Clinical assessment A need to stay hospitalized for > 48 hours SpO2 < = 88 % without supplementary oxygen. Cognitive capable and willing to give written consent to participation	A need for ventilatory support, except CPAP, within the first 48 hours of admission) Severe comorbidities that require a SpO2>92% or may affect admission time Fertile women (<55 years of age) with a positive pregnancy test Verified pulmonary embolism within the prior two weeks before inclusion

Figure 1. Flowchart of inclusion for the randomized controlled trial.

Illustration 1. Placement and clinical use of the assistive technological device for Automatic Oxygen Administration (AOA)

Table 2. Characteristics of the participants (n = 18).

Participants	Sex	Age	Fev1 %	Sat/O2	Duration of AOA (days)
1	F	70–75	23	91/1	3
2	F	70–75	15	93/2	2
3	F	80–85	45	87/0	1
4	M	65–70	19	87/0	2
5	M	45–50	24	83/0	2
6	F	65–70	–	91/3	1
7	F	85–90	70	90/4	3
8	F	70–75	33	89/1	3
9	F	80–85	23	92/2	3
10	F	80–85	–	90/6	3
11	M	70–75	26	95/3	1
12	M	75–80	24	91/1	1
13	F	70–75	37	87/0	1
14	F	80–85	42	90/1	1
15	M	70–75	26	91/1	1
16	M	75–80	70	91/3	3
17	F	65–70	61	92/2	3
18	M	60–65	19	90/2	3

Participants: ID-number, Sex: F = female/M = male, Age: age by intervals of five years. Following data was collected by inclusion to the randomized controlled trial: Fev1 %: The Forced Expiratory Volume by 1 s in percentage of expected value (latest value), SpO₂: percentages of peripheral oxygen saturation measured by finger-clamp and oxygen flows given in Liters/minute.

Table 3. Interview topic guide.

Please tell me about your experience with receiving oxygen through a robot. What was your experience with the oxygen-robot concerning? Shortness of breath Daily activities like sleep, nutrition, mobility, toilet visit, and personal hygiene, etc. Feeling of safety Relations to nurses Relations to fellow-patients Please describe any potential concerns or worries you had about the robot-administrating your oxygen. Please describe any benefits

Table 4. Themes and subthemes.

1. Adaptation of behavior to the robot	2. Robots make patients feel safe, but not cared for
Rather compromise own therapy than being a nuisance	Pendulating between safe and unsafe
Liberated from the dependency of the nurses	The humanized robot
Tied by wires mentally and physically	Competition for attention
The two themes are written in bold and the six subthemes in italics