Veteran News

April 2025, Vol. 19, Issue 4

Fire Safety Goes Beyond “Just Smoking”

As patients using oxygen, it is crucial to remain aware of potential fire hazards. While oxygen itself is not flammable, it acts as an accelerant. This means that when combined with heat or an open flame and a fuel source such as clothing, skin, or hair, it can lead to a fire. Like gasoline on a woodpile, oxygen increases the risk of combustion, but a fire will not start unless heat, flames, or sparks are introduced.

As you move around your home and community, it’s essential to recognize heat sources that could pose a danger to you, your family, and others. Always remember that anything that generates heat, has an open flame, or produces sparks presents a fire risk for you. Stay alert for potential fire hazards such as gas or propane appliances, barbecue grills and fire pits, candles, incense burners, cooking equipment with heating elements, matches, lighters, and various tools.

Patients and caregivers often emphasize “Smoking” when considering oxygen safety, but it’s important to think beyond cigarettes and vape pens. Instead, focus on identifying heat sources by asking, “What’s hot?” “What’s dangerous?” and “What could ignite my oxygen?” Always prioritize oxygen safety by turning off your oxygen, staying at least 25 feet away from your equipment, and waiting 15 minutes before engaging with any source of fire, heat, or open flame. Your life, health, and safety should always be your top priority.

Reviews help us not only improve our products and services but also let others know that Mid-Cities Medical cares about delivering “World-Class Customer Service.”

APR

What You Need to Know About
Traveling With Oxygen

Before arranging holiday travel plans, there are several things an oxygen patient should do to ensure things go smoothly.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants to remind you about the importance of protecting your personal information and data with tips from VA cybersecurity and privacy experts and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

• The VA Medical Center will cover two trips per patient per year. The total amount of time allowed during these two trips can total four weeks per year.
• Patients need to contact Mid-Cities Medical one month to 14 days before departure to get VA Approval, coordinate equipment availability, create orders, and allow for delivery time.
• Requests received under the 14-day time limit will be submitted to the VA. However, the VA Medical Center does have the right to refuse coverage if notice is too short.
• VISN 17 (Texas) patients must submit travel requests through the Respiratory Department – Home Oxygen Clinic. Texas Medical Centers write prescriptions for approved travel.
• When calling, patient will need to provide the following information:
  • Dates of travel (not to exceed 30 total days)
  • Mode of travel
    • Airline – include total flight time, including layovers
    • Train – include total travel time
    • Bus – include total travel time
    • Private vehicle (RV, Car, Motorcycle, etc.) – if the trip is one day or requires multiple stops between patient residence and end destination
  • If end destination setup will be required, or if more than a Portable Oxygen Concentrator is needed:
    • Physical address of where the patient is staying
    • Direct contact person’s name and phone number
    • Dates to be spent at individual locations, if entire trip is not based at a single location
• Reason for trip – Vacation, holiday, medical treatment, permanent move (state or region), snowbird winter/summer (temporary move), event, or other.
• International travel is not covered by the VA Medical Centers. Patient will be provided a phone number to contact the VA’s special international travel department.
• VISN 22 (AZ and CA) limits the number of trips per year and days covered. If you are making multiple trips, be aware that the VA may deny travel coverage after 2 trips or 30 total days.

If you have any oxygen or ventilation preparation questions during these ongoing events, or need emergency assistance, please contact our offices:

VISN 17 – Texas, 1 (888) 450-6676
VISN 22 – Arizona, 1 (833) 986-4267
VISN 22 – Southern California, 1 (833) 986-4267
CalOx Inc. – 1 (866) 519-2414

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Better communication.
Better satisfaction.

To improve patient communication and reduce wait times, Mid-Cities Medical now offers an online chat platform with a user-friendly interface. This platform allows patients to easily manage tasks such as ordering supplies, scheduling travel, tracking shipments, and more.

Our chat interface allows most patient inquiries to be addressed quickly and simultaneously, and if a request cannot be resolved or requires personalized assistance, it is promptly escalated to a live agent for one-on-one support.

At Mid-Cities Medical, we believe that every minute a patient waits is a minute without care. Our new online chat platform is designed to help patients and providers get answers, resolve issues, and act quickly and efficiently.

Better communication. Better satisfaction. Better for patients. Just another way Mid-Cities Medical continues to deliver “World-Class Customer Service” and equipment to every customer every time.

Mid-Cities Medical has partnered with local, regional and national providers to assist individuals in identifying and overcoming barriers in order to have the services and supports that meet your individual strengths, abilities, priorities, and needs.

“Freedom isn’t free. We will remember all those that have given their lives for our country. Thank you for your service.”

Important Emergency Preparation Steps

• Review all available safety components.
• Create and have an evacuation plan for your residence.
• Take as much oxygen and ventilation equipment with you, should you need to evacuate.
• Contact Mid-Cities Medical for emergency assistance and setup. You will need to provide us with your evacuation address and contact details.
  • Texas – 1 (888) 450-6676
  • CA & AZ – 1 (833) 986-4267

If you have any oxygen or ventilation preparation questions during these ongoing events, or need emergency assistance, please contact our offices:

VISN 17 – Texas, 1 (888) 450-6676
VISN 22 – Arizona, 1 (833) 986-4267
VISN 22 – Southern California, 1 (833) 986-4267
CalOx Inc. – 1 (866) 519-2414

Mid-Cities Medical has partnered with local, regional and national providers to assist individuals in identifying and overcoming barriers in order to have the services and supports that meet your individual strengths, abilities, priorities, and needs.

3017 Red Hawk Drive
Grand Prairie, Texas 75052

(888) 450-6676 Toll Free (TX)

Patient Care: 24/7/365
Emergency: Call 911

(833) 986-4267 Toll Free (AZ & CA)