#OxygenSavedisOxygenProduced
Shantanu Roy
ESG & Impact Evaluation | Sustainability | GHG Risk Management | Sustainable Supply Chain | ESG / Sustainability Coaching
Continuing on the oxygen audit post (https://tinyurl.com/tt8b7mup), based on my work experience I list a few points that can be done and for which expertise is readily available around us. As I understand there is no SOP as yet for such an audit but the findings of one audit that gave about 48% reduction in oxygen consumption at a hospital (see link in my previous post) is so attractive that this seems to be a must do. Given that the oxygen used in this case is for life saving, the audit SOP should get developed by a multi-disciplinary team minimally comprising of critical care specialist, biomedical engineer, and pneumatic engineer amongst others. But there can be a start till such an SOP gets formed.
Following are few quick actions that can be undertaken in the interim based on my experience / understanding are:
- Leak detection and fixing will be of big value. This activity will be similar to the compressed air leak testing that is carried out in industries. In compressed air systems, +20% of compressor output is lost when leaks are undetected. Tools that can be used are ultrasonic air leak detectors, electronic or mechanical stethoscopes to good old listening and feeling followed by soap water application.
- Ensuring before and after weighing of oxygen cylinder. This will help in monitoring the quantity used as well as would help in identifying pilferage in transit.
- Where both captive oxygen plant and cylinders are used, the usage can be optimised in such a way that critical patients (level 3 and above) are connected to the plant generated oxygen while those below are on cylinder connections so that the controls are better and the usage controlled for less critical patients.
- Also monitoring and record keeping. The old fashioned use of registers for recording the flow rates and the hours of usage. While it is tough time for the healthcare professionals, this additional task needs to be incorporated in such a way that it doesn’t become additional cumbersome activity. Of course technology can help here if Apps can be used.
What else can be done? Please put your thoughts in the comments and let us all jointly try to create an usable SOP for oxygen audits in hospital.
Linkedin Top Voice??| Vibration Analyst & Territory Manager | Expert in Condition Monitoring & Sales Strategy| Digitalization | IIOT | Digital Transformation | Industry 4.0 |12k+ Followers|
3 年The SKF TKSU 10 is an ultrasonic leak detector that helps users to quickly find leakages in compressed air or vacuum systems. The instrument is very simple to use and features adjustable sensitivity and intuitive guidance for superior leak detection results. https://youtu.be/Oi2ndebFduA
32yrHOD,GM Proj&Const,Handled$9B & $6B proj, SABIC,BECHTEL,LINDE, SAMSUNG,Thyssen,Technip,for Gazprom RIL,IOCL,Aramco
3 年untill covid wave 2 oxygen supply to hospiyal has never been any issue. obviouly, amid covid, oxygen became valuable medical consumable and is need of hour that it must be used in very sparingly manner. At this moment raising question about curbing excessive wastge of oxygen is wonderful observation. I would appreciate you if you come up with some data of % wastage and upto what extent wastage can be curbed with all measures in place, ofcourse not all wastage can be eliminated. I would say replace old corroded main header branch header and manifolds, nipples nozzels etc, yes its possible but one should realize that none of hospital can afford to have poor supply lines. operation of oxygen line is not required very special skill is just on off process. the need of hour is oxygen should reach to hospital in required quantity .and there should be perinenial supply of oxygen to hospital. for this matter blockage on the road should be cleared. agitator sitting at delhi boarder should keep road clear for gas tanker movement. looks like agitators sitting at delhi boarder are insensitive towards covid problem and still keeping road blocked. state should arrange sufficient tankers to cater the elevated demand of oxygen..
General Manager at Steel Authority of India Limited
3 年Monitoring leakages and plugging them, training the staff about oxygen handling, raising awareness about costs involved and monitoring daily usage should be enough to conserve oxygen and reduce wastage. That one hospital even thought of getting an oxygen audit done is commendable.?
Hospital Engineering Specialist - Ex Narayana Hrudayalaya, Ex Seven Hills Hospital, Ex Jubilee Mission Medical College
3 年Leakage is the biggest issue in many hospitals. Lack of competent staff to operate and monitor oxygen systems is another issue. In many hospitals, replenishing is done by vendor, certainly a conflict of interest when supplier decides replenishment levels and take out half used cylinders from manifold. There is a general tendency to keep the flow at a higher level than recommended by treating doctor, nurses may do this to reduce alarms.? Knowledgeable person to monitor and control, is probably the first step towards oxygen conservation.
MANAGING DIRECTOR for GREENPATH ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES | Energy, Net Zero, Environment and Sustainability Professional | Waste Management, ESG & Climate Change Expert | Industries and Investement Advicocy
3 年SOP, Preventive maintenance, schedule maintenance checklist, training, record keeping perfectly