A practical, patient-friendly guide from Hayat Home Medical Equipment (Chicagoland)
We know that when your oxygen concentrator starts beeping or stops working, it can be stressful, especially if it’s late at night or over the weekend. Before you pick up the phone to call your DME provider, many common issues can be fixed in just a few seconds with a quick check of your setup.
This guide is designed to help our Chicago neighbors troubleshoot their equipment at home, stay calm, and ensure their therapy remains uninterrupted. Whether you are in Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, or downtown, these simple steps can save you time and get your device back up and running.
⚠️ Important safety note: If you have severe shortness of breath, chest pain, blue lips/face, confusion, you cannot stay awake, or your oxygen saturation is dangerously low, call 911 immediately. This guide is for basic troubleshooting, not emergency care.
Quick Start: 60-Second Checklist
- Power Check: Confirm the unit is plugged directly into a wall outlet (avoid extension cords or power strips).
- Startup: Make sure the power switch is ON and the machine has finished its startup cycle.
- Settings: Verify the flow setting matches your prescription (do not change settings unless instructed).
- Tubing: Inspect the tubing and cannula for kinks, pinches, water blocks, or loose connections.
- Sounds: Listen for hissing (often indicates a loose connection or humidifier bottle leak).
Common Problems and What to Do
1) The concentrator won’t turn on
- Try a different wall outlet in the same room (or another room).
- Check for a tripped breaker/GFCI outlet and reset if needed.
- If your unit has a reset button on the power supply, use it only if instructed by your DME.
- If the machine still won’t power on, call Hayat when available.
2) Low flow / weak oxygen feeling / low-flow alarm
- Confirm the flowmeter ball is centered on the prescribed number.
- Check the cannula and tubing from end to end for kinks or bends under furniture.
- Make sure all connections are pushed on firmly at the outlet, humidifier bottle, and cannula.
- If you use a humidifier bottle, verify it is sealed correctly (see the humidifier section below).
- Replace the cannula/tubing if it looks stiff, discolored, or cracked.
3) Water collecting in the tubing (gurgling / sputtering)
- Turn the concentrator OFF before disconnecting anything.
- Drain the tubing by disconnecting the cannula and letting water run into a sink.
- Make sure the humidifier is filled only to the marked fill line (do not overfill).
- Keep the bottle upright and below nose level when possible.
Humidifier Bottle: How to Get a Perfect Seal
A loose humidifier bottle is the #1 cause of “no flow” alarms.
- Turn the concentrator OFF before attaching or removing the bottle.
- Fill with distilled water only to the fill line.
- Thread it on straight. If it feels crooked, back it off and re-thread (cross-threading causes leaks).
- Tighten snug—but not extreme. Over-tightening can crack the plastic.
Quick “Cup of Water” Test: Is Oxygen Flowing?
- Fill a cup with water.
- Turn the concentrator ON and let it run for a moment.
- Place the tips of the cannula into the water.
- Continuous-flow: You should see steady bubbles.
- Pulse-dose: You may not see steady bubbles, as oxygen is only delivered when you inhale.
When to Call Hayat (Especially After Hours)
Call us if:
- The concentrator won’t power on after trying different outlets.
- The low-flow alarm continues after checking all tubing and seals.
- You smell burning, see smoke, or the device is unusually hot.
Local Hospital Coordination
We commonly coordinate with discharge planners at these facilities within 15 miles of Evergreen Park:
Below is a practical reference list for patients, caregivers, and discharge planners. Distances are approximate, measured from our Evergreen Park office.
| Hospital | Address |
| OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center | 2800 W 95th St, Evergreen Park, IL 60805 |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center | 4440 W 95th St, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 |
| Holy Cross Hospital | 2701 W 68th St, Chicago, IL 60629 |
| Mount Sinai Hospital | 1500 S Fairfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 |
| Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital | 1401 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 |
| MacNeal Hospital | 3249 S Oak Park Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402 |
| Provident Hospital of Cook County | 500 E 51st St, Chicago, IL 60615 |
| UI Health – University of Illinois Hospital | 1740 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60612 |
| John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County | 1969 W Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL 60612 |
| Jesse Brown VA Medical Center | 820 S Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60612 |
| Rush University Medical Center | 1653 W Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60612 |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital | 251 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611 |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital | 2320 E 93rd St, Chicago, IL 60617 |
| Mercy Hospital & Medical Center (Insight Hospital & Medical Center) | 2525 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 |
Hayat Home Medical Equipment (HHME): Chicagoland Service Area
Address: 3518 West 95th Street, Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Phone: (708) 422-2300
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm | Sat 10:00am–2:00pm | Sun Closed
Coverage: Chicagoland, Cook & DuPage Counties (including Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Chicago Ridge, Oak Brook, and nearby communities).
Need help? Call us at (708) 422-2300 during business hours. For after-hours emergencies, please follow your care plan or call 911.