The Medical Gas Pipeline System (MGPS) is an essential component of healthcare delivery because it is a network that delivers a safe, efficient and uninterrupted supply of medical gases. These gases include oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, vacuum, and others crucial in delivering critical and operational healthcare services and treatment. Compared to the current portable cylinders, MGPS offers convenience and eliminates the various difficulties experienced in moving the cylinders.
Parts of a Medical Gas Pipeline System
Gas Sources:
- Central Supply Systems: The gas supply comes from central supply systems, such as liquid oxygen or the gas manifold system.
- Compressors and Vacuum Pumps: Medical air and vacuum are provided using special compressors and pumps to guarantee an unbroken supply.
Pipeline Network:
- Flexible conduits in the medical gas pipeline convey gases from the source to various outlets within the healthcare facility through the fixed piped network. Copper pipes are usually employed because of the material’s strength and immunity to contamination, ensuring a safe and reliable gas flow.
Control Systems:
- Manifolds: It helps Control the pressure and the rates of using the stored gases in pipelines.
- Alarms: Supervise pressure rates and inform employees whenever the pressure in any part of the system is too high or too low.
Terminal Units:
- These are those located in patient areas, operation theatres, and ICUs, where the gases are connected using specific connectors.
Main Medical Gas Pipeline Systems and Their Uses
Oxygen (O₂):
- Oxygen is the most utilised medical gas. It is used to aid respiration in patients with breathing problems.
Nitrous Oxide (N₂O):
- Nitrous oxide is especially used in surgery and pain control as an anaesthetic.
Medical Air:
- Clean, compressed air is used in respiratory therapy and powering the ventilators.
Vacuum (Suction):
- Cleans secretions and emissions from the body during operations or other treatments.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂):
- Applied in laparoscopic operations and for standardisation of various instruments utilised in operations.
Heliox (Helium + Oxygen):
- It may help decrease airway resistance in patients with severe respiratory diseases.
Benefits of Medical Gas Pipeline System
Continuous and Reliable Supply
- It provides a consistent supply of emergency and medical gases, such as oxygen, nitrous oxide and medical air, which are critically important in inpatient treatment.
- Eliminates the dependency on portable gas cylinders, reducing the risk of delays in emergencies.
Enhanced Safety
- It reduces the probability of mishaps in handling and storing cylinders, such as leakage, explosion or mechanical injury.
- Pressure variations are controlled, and potential dangers are avoided by installing alarms and monitoring the system.
Streamlined Workflow
- Relieves hospital employees the burden of the cylinder supply chain so that they can concentrate on patients.
- Reduces the frequency of cylinder replacement and transport with the help of an electric cylinder.
Improved Patient Experience
- Ensures a reliable and controlled flow of medical gases, improving patient treatment results.
- Using scrubs and masks means that patients and medical personnel can work uninterrupted throughout delicate processes.
Cost-Effective
- Eliminates the costs of cylinder purchase, transportation and storage, which are incurred periodically.
- Reduces operation costs since the gas supply is centralised for the various operations.
Optimised Space Utilization
- It saves space occupied by large gas cylinders in patients’ private spaces, operation theatres, or intensive care units.
- It can free up space for other vital medical equipment that would otherwise be taken up in a healthcare centre.
Environmental Benefits
- Centralized gas systems employ bulk storage and delivery, reducing the environmental impact associated with cylinder transportation.
- It has been observed that the risk of gas wastage is comparatively lower in the case of cylinder type than portable cylinders.
Maintenance and Compliance
- For the MGPS to be reliable, it needs to be checked frequently and meet healthcare standards such as the NFPA 99 or HTM 02- Some of the checks that can be done are examinations of pipelines, pressure, and alarms, which can help to ensure no interferences occur.
Conclusion
Medical gas pipeline systems have become the lifeline of healthcare systems in most developed nations. Few things are more important in a surgical environment than the consistent and efficient operation of the hospital laundry service. Thus, applying the newest technologies in MGPS allows for satisfying the requirements of the modern medical field and guaranteeing the necessary level of treatment.
