Oxygen Cylinders are
essential in hospitals for treating patients with various conditions. Oxygen
was known by 1800 to support cellular respiration and by 1810 it was being used
for medical purposes. Now we see that it is extensively used in hospitals for
conditions such as COPD, cyanosis, shock, severe hemorrhage, carbon monoxide
poisoning, major trauma, cardiac/respiratory arrest, etc. It is now commonly
used for aiding cardiovascular & resuscitation besides providing life support
for artificially ventilated patients.
To illustrate how
important oxygen is for human life, around 80 per cent of energy metabolism is
actuated by oxygen. It is first absorbed
by blood in the lungs from where it goes to every cell, the seat of
bio-chemical processes. It goes without saying that oxygen plays a vital role
in breathing processes and metabolic activities of mammals. And, the nutrient compounds that exist inside
of cells are oxidized through various enzymatic processes.This oxidization
provides energy to human beings for performing their day to day activities.
Specifications Of
Medical Oxygen Used In Hospitals
Hospitals use medical grade oxygen which must have purity of
99.7% or above and must meet the specifications of European and Indian
Pharmacopeia standards. It should also fulfill the criteria of
identification, odor, CO2 not more than 0.03% and CO not more than 0.001% in
gas. Oxygen cylinders used for
carrying medical grade oxygen must be thoroughly vacuumed before they are refilled.
Impurities need to be cleaned out of cylinders for medical applications.
How Hospitals Get
Medical Oxygen Supply?
Hospitals use two ways of getting medical oxygen supplies using
an onsite medical oxygen plant and subscribing oxygen cylinder
from a gas retailer. However, generation of oxygen onsite is preferable to
subscribing cylinders because you will never run out of oxygen. Having installed
an oxygen plant on the premises of a hospital, you can produce as much oxygen
as you require for daily consumption and for storage to be used only in
emergencies.
