Updated October 2026. Reviewed by the clinical team at Choice Care Home Health.
There is no single national rule. Nursing homes follow the equipment maker’s instructions and their own written infection-control policy. As a general guide, a nasal cannula is changed about every 2 to 4 weeks (sooner if it is dirty or after an illness), extension oxygen tubing about every 2 months, and a humidifier bottle is washed and rinsed at every refill.
Nursing home staff check oxygen equipment on a set schedule.
Families of nursing home residents on oxygen often watch the tank and the oxygen level and never think about the tubing. But the cannula and tubing touch the resident’s face all day, and dirty or worn equipment can raise the risk of infection. This guide explains how often each part is usually changed, the signs to replace it sooner, how to keep oxygen safe, and what to ask the facility.
Oxygen Equipment Change Schedule at a Glance
| Equipment | Typical schedule | Change or wash sooner if |
| Nasal cannula (the part in the nose) | About every 2 to 4 weeks. Wash weekly. | After an illness, or if dirty, cracked, clogged or stiff |
| Extension oxygen tubing | About every 2 months | Kinked, cracked, cloudy, discolored or visibly dirty |
| Humidifier bottle | Wash with soap and warm water and rinse well at every refill. Ask the supplier how often to replace the bottle. | Cracked, damaged or visibly dirty |
| Humidifier water | Refill with sterile or distilled water when the bottle is at or below half full | Water looks cloudy or the bottle is dirty |
| Suction canister | Set by facility policy and the maker’s instructions | Contaminated or damaged |
These ranges come from the American Lung Association and the COPD Foundation. Always follow the instructions that came with your equipment and your facility’s written policy, because they come first. The sources are listed at the end of this page.
Why Oxygen Tubing Needs Regular Replacement
Oxygen tubing and cannulas are in constant contact with skin, breath and moisture. Over time, oils, moisture and germs can build up, and plastic can crack, stiffen or kink. The CDC’s infection-control guidelines say to follow the maker’s instructions for oxygen humidifiers and to change the humidifier tubing, including any nasal prongs or mask, when it malfunctions or becomes visibly contaminated.
Nasal Cannula: How Often to Change It
The American Lung Association says to replace the cannula or mask every 2 to 4 weeks, to change it every time you get sick, and to wash the cannula every week. The COPD Foundation gives the same 2 to 4 week range for a cannula and its attached tubing, unless the instructions that came with it say otherwise. Some facilities set a shorter schedule, such as weekly, in their own policy. That is a facility rule, not a national one, so ask for the written policy.
Wash a cannula weekly with mild soap and warm water, and rinse well.
To wash a cannula, use mild soap and warm water, rinse well and let it dry. Replace it if it stays dirty, cracked or clogged.
Oxygen Tubing: How Often to Change It
The American Lung Association says to replace oxygen tubing every 2 months, and the COPD Foundation says extension tubing, the long tube from the machine to the cannula, can usually go a couple of months between changes. Check that the tubing is not bent or blocked.
Does oxygen tubing expire? It does not follow one national expiration date. It wears down with use, so look for any use-by date on the package and replace it on the maker’s schedule. Replace it sooner if it is cloudy, discolored, cracked, stiff or dirty.
Humidifier Bottle and Water
Some residents use a humidifier bottle to add moisture to the oxygen. The American Lung Association says to wash the bottle with soap and warm water and rinse well every time you refill it, and to refill it with sterile or distilled water when it is at or below half full. It also says to ask your medical supply company how often to replace the bottle.
Refill a humidifier bottle with sterile or distilled water.
How often should humidified oxygen systems be replaced? There is no one universal number. The CDC says to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for oxygen humidifiers, and facilities add their own written policy on top of that. If you are studying for a nursing exam and see this question, use your course textbook or your facility’s policy, because exam answers can follow a specific protocol.
Suction Canisters
Suction canisters collect fluids and can carry germs, so facilities treat them as an infection-control item. There is no single evidence-based interval that all facilities follow. In an older review by Kaye, Marchaim and Bentley, the authors found that the common 24-hour change rule was not backed by the research they reviewed. In the survey they cite, nearly all surveyed facilities used a new canister for each patient, but only about half changed them every day. That survey was not limited to nursing homes. Ask the nursing home how often it changes canisters and what its written policy says.
When to Replace Oxygen Equipment Sooner
Change oxygen tubing, a cannula or a humidifier bottle sooner than scheduled if you see any of these:
- Cloudy, discolored or dirty tubing, or visible particles inside
- Water pooling or heavy moisture inside the tubing
- Cracks, holes, kinks or stiffness
- Equipment dropped on the floor or exposed to spills
- The resident has been sick with a cold, flu or other respiratory illness
- A strange smell, or the equipment does not seem to work normally
Oxygen Fire Safety
Oxygen helps things burn faster, so fire safety matters as much as changing equipment. Safety guidance from oxygen providers includes these basics:
- Never smoke or allow anyone to smoke around oxygen.
- Keep oxygen away from open flames and heat sources. One oxygen safety guide says to keep oxygen canisters at least 6 to 10 feet from heat sources and at least 8 feet from sparking devices such as electric heaters.
- Avoid petroleum-based lotions, creams and jelly. The American Lung Association says not to use oil-based products like petroleum jelly, and to use aloe vera or a water-based lubricant for a dry nose or lips.
- Check that tubing is not kinked, and that nothing is lying on it.
Keep oxygen away from heat, open flames and smoking.
How Nursing Homes Manage Oxygen Equipment
Facilities set their own written schedule for changing and cleaning oxygen equipment. It should follow the maker’s instructions and the facility’s infection-control policy. Staff are responsible for checking equipment, and families can help by noticing changes during visits. If something looks dirty, cracked or wet, tell a nurse right away and ask them to replace it.
Questions Families Can Ask
Here is what to ask, and what a good answer sounds like:
- How often does this facility change oxygen tubing and cannulas? A good answer is a clear schedule, not “we do it when needed.”
- Is there a written schedule for my loved one’s oxygen equipment? A good facility can show you the schedule or explain how staff track it.
- Who checks and cleans the equipment? A named role, such as the resident’s nurse, is a good sign.
- What should I look for when I visit? Look for clean, uncracked tubing, a bottle that is not cloudy, and tubing that is not kinked or on the floor.
- Has the equipment ever had to be replaced early? A good facility is open about this and replaces equipment when needed.
- Who should I tell if something looks wrong? You should be given a named person or a clear process.
Oxygen Tubing at Home vs in a Nursing Home
In a nursing home, staff and the facility’s supplier handle the equipment. At home, the family or the person using oxygen often does the changing, and the medical supply company supplies the parts. Medicare’s policy article for oxygen equipment lists cannulas and tubing as accessories covered within the rental allowance, and says the supplier must provide accessories the doctor orders. Coverage depends on your situation and plan, so ask your supplier and plan. If a loved one uses oxygen at home, skilled nursing visits can include teaching the family how to use and care for the equipment.
When to Call a Nurse or Doctor
Call the nurse or doctor if the resident has a new or worsening cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore skin around the nose or ears from the tubing, or if the oxygen seems not to be flowing. Call 911 for severe trouble breathing or a medical emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should oxygen tubing be changed?
The American Lung Association says to replace oxygen tubing about every 2 months, and the COPD Foundation says extension tubing can usually go a couple of months. The nasal cannula that touches your face is changed more often. Always follow the maker’s instructions and your facility’s policy.
How often should a nasal cannula be changed?
The American Lung Association says to replace a cannula or mask every 2 to 4 weeks, and to change it every time you get sick. Some facilities set a shorter schedule in their own policy. Change it sooner if it is dirty, cracked or clogged.
Does oxygen tubing expire?
Oxygen tubing does not follow one national expiration date. It wears down with use, so replace it on the maker’s schedule and sooner if it looks cloudy, discolored, cracked, stiff or dirty. Check the package for any use-by date or instructions.
How often should humidifier bottles be changed?
Wash the bottle with soap and warm water and rinse it well every time you refill it, and refill it with sterile or distilled water. How often to replace the bottle depends on the maker, so ask your medical supply company or follow your facility’s policy.
How often should suction canisters be changed?
There is no single evidence-based interval that all facilities follow. Nursing homes set their own written policy based on the manufacturer’s instructions and infection-control rules. Ask the facility how often it changes canisters and whether a new one is used for each resident.
How should I clean a nasal cannula?
The American Lung Association says to wash the cannula weekly. Use mild soap and warm water, rinse well, and let it dry. Do not try to clean it with harsh products, and replace it if it stays dirty, cracked or clogged. Follow the maker’s cleaning instructions.
What should I ask a nursing home about oxygen equipment?
Ask how often tubing, cannulas, humidifier bottles and canisters are changed, whether there is a written schedule, who checks the equipment, and who to tell if something looks dirty or damaged. A good facility can answer these clearly.
Is oxygen safe near candles, stoves or heaters?
No. Never smoke or allow anyone to smoke around oxygen, and keep it away from open flames and heat. One oxygen safety guide says to keep oxygen at least 6 to 10 feet from heat sources. Avoid petroleum-based lotions and use water-based products instead.
Does Medicare pay for replacement oxygen tubing?
Medicare’s policy article for oxygen equipment lists cannulas and tubing as accessories covered within the rental allowance, and says the supplier must provide accessories the doctor orders. Coverage depends on your situation and plan, so ask your supplier and plan.
How Choice Care Home Health Can Help
If a loved one will use oxygen at home, our skilled nursing team can help families learn how to care for the equipment safely, and our home health aides can help with daily needs. To learn how Medicare may cover home health, read our guide on Medicare home health care in Illinois. We serve families in Orland Park, Palos Heights, Oak Lawn, Will County, and nearby towns.
Call Choice Care Home Health at (708) 489-0123 or contact us to talk about care at home.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Equipment, facility policies, and manufacturers’ instructions differ. Follow the instructions that came with your equipment and ask your doctor, nurse, or oxygen supplier about your situation.