SAFETY NORMS AND GUIDELINES FOR MEDICAL GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS
Are you planning to install medical gas pipeline in your hospital? Are you aware of all the safety norms and guidelines for medical gas pipeline systems? In this article, Hospaccx Healthcare Consultancy has mapped all the information related to medical gas pipeline systems.
INTRODUCTION
The medical gases used in a hospital are life-supporting element that gives direct influence in maintaining the life of a patient. Medical gases are nowadays being used for several diverse clinical applications and its piped delivery is a landmark achievement in the field of patient care. Patient safety is of paramount importance in the design, installation, commissioning, and operation of medical gas pipeline systems (MGPS).
The system has to be operational round the clock, with practically zero downtime and its failure can be fatal if not restored at the earliest. There is a lack of awareness among the clinicians regarding the medico-legal aspect involved with the MGPS. It is a highly technical field; hence, in-depth knowledge is a must to ensure safety with the system.
Medical Gas Pipeline System (MGPS) is installed to provide a safe, convenient, and cost-effective system for the provision of medical gases to the clinical and nursing staff at the point-of-use for patients. It reduces the problems associated with the use of gas cylinders such as safety, porterage, storage, and noise.
VARIOUS GASES COVERED OF MEDICAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
- Oxygen
- Nitrous oxide
- Anesthesia gas scavenging system (AGSS)
- Medical air (MA-4)
- Nitrogen
- Surgical Air (SA-7)
- Carbon dioxide
- Vacuum
- Mixed gas
TYPES OF MEDICAL GAS PLANTS
- Compressed Air Plants
Compressed Air Plants are used to provide Compressed Medical grade Air under in bulk quantity at constant pressure through a piped system for use inside a hospital.
- Vacuum Plants
Vacuum plants provide bulk vacuum through a piped system for providing vacuum at patient locations and in operation theatres for running medical equipment.
- AGSS/ WAGD Plants
AGSS / WAGD plant system also called a gas scavenging system is required for disposal of waste anesthetic gases from inside the operation theatres to the outside atmosphere.
PRACTICES FOR SAFETY
- Formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
- Maintaining logbooks
- Keeping all the equipment under Annual Maintenance Contract/ Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (AMC/CAMC), allotted to the original supplier of the Equipment or vendors with minimum 3-year experience in the field.
- Preventive maintenance of equipment and leak test of the pipeline should be ensured every quarter.
- 24 h manning by trained personnel.
- Periodic training of manifold personnel.
- Regular inspection of the pipelines, particularly after the Public Works Department (PWD) work of every area.
- Daily checking of a contingency plan.
- Mock drills of pipeline failure, fire, and explosion should be regularly conducted.
The vastness of the system has always remained a matter of concern whenever the issue of safety was raised. The anaesthesiologists are an integral part of this system, but keeping in mind the medico-legal liabilities, the administrative control of the system should be vested upon the biomedical engineers, and all users must also be adequately trained.
PIPELINE TESTING PROCEDURE
Indigenous arrangement – all critical areas should have bulk oxygen cylinders, fitted with a double-stage regulator, tubing, and an adaptor. In the case of manifold failure, the AVSU of the area is closed. The pipeline beyond it can now be fed with oxygen from this cylinder, by connecting the adaptor to any oxygen outlet point within the territory.
7 CHECKLIST POINTS BEFORE INSTALLATION MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM
- Do you have the blueprints for the new and the existing system?
- Have you put together a risk assessment meeting before medical gas shut down that ensures all department heads are aware of the project and its potential effects on the facility’s patients?
- Do you have at least two times the estimated amount of gas needed to back feed your system?
- How “temporary” is your temporary supply? Has your back feed been verified and are all NFPA 99 requirements being met?
- Are certified ASSE 6010 installers and ASME IX brazers performing the work?
- Is the verifying company working for you or the contractor?
- Will your project be properly documented when complete?
If you need any consultation for safety norms and guidelines, any support for planning and installing the medical gas pipeline systems in your hospital, you can contact us: Hospaccx healthcare business consulting Pvt. Ltd on you can visit our website hospaccxconsulting.com
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