An oxygen concentrator is a self-contained, electrically powered medical device designed to concentrate oxygen from ambient air. Utilizing PSA technology, an oxygen concentrator draws in air from the environment, extracts the nitrogen, and can produce a continuous source of 95% concentrated oxygen. Oxygen concentrators are portable and can be moved between clinical areas, but they are also often set up to be stationary fixtures in patient areas.

Oxygen gas can be compressed and stored in cylinders. These cylinders are filled at a gas manufacturing plant, either via a cryogenic distillation or a process known as pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and transported to health facilities to be connected to manifold systems (groups of cylinders linked in parallel) that are piped to areas of the health facility; or cylinders can be used directly within patient areas.

The use of cylinders typically involves transport to and from the bulk supply depot for regular refilling, which could have logistical challenges and ongoing cost implications, often leading to unreliable supply in many settings. Cylinders can also be filled by a PSA oxygen plant that is co-located with a health facility and that has a high-pressure compressor for cylinder filling purposes.

Cylinders do not require electricity, but they do require several accessories and fittings to deliver oxygen, such as pressure gauges, regulators, flowmeters, and, in some cases, humidifiers. Cylinders also require periodic maintenance, commonly provided by gas suppliers at the point of refilling.

Cylinders also require periodic maintenance, commonly provided by gas suppliers at the point of refilling. Additionally, storage or transportation of medical oxygen in cylinders must be done carefully and by trained personnel as the contents are under extreme pressure.

An oxygen plant is a large, onsite, central source of oxygen that is piped directly to terminal units within patient areas. Plants can generate oxygen using PSA technology (similar to concentrators) or by cryogenic distillation. Plants can also be set up to refill cylinders for oxygen distribution or backup oxygen supply; these cylinders can be connected to sub-central manifold systems at the health facility or transported to neighbouring health facilities. Note that oxygen plants require a reliable source of power. It is best practice to also have cylinders as a backup supply.

Pipeline systems supply oxygen at high pressure to equipment such as anaesthetic machines and ventilators. A key advantage of pipeline systems is that they obviate the need for handling and transporting heavy cylinders between hospital wards. The high cost of installing centralized oxygen sources with copper pipelines and the high level of specialized maintenance required currently make these systems of oxygen delivery unsuitable for many district-level hospitals in LRS.

A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant serves as a large, central source of oxygen generation using PSA technology (similar to concentrators) that can be located on-site at medical facilities. Oxygen from a PSA plant can either be piped directly to bedside terminal units within patient areas or, with a booster compressor, be used to refill cylinders for oxygen distribution (either on-site or to neighbouring health facilities) or for backup oxygen supply. Oxygen plants require a reliable source of power. It is best practice to also have cylinders as a backup supply.