Friday, 14 December 2018

Why Oxygen Cylinders Are Used In Hospitals?


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.


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