Medical Gas Compliance Blog

Given today’s challenging healthcare environment and the demands placed on safety and performance, it is more crucial than ever for healthcare facilities to have control of their medical gas system, as well as the proper compliant documentation to support it.

Schematic drawings or "riser diagrams" provide a visual of the entire medical gas pipeline system, from source supply equipment to patient. A riser diagram can ensure the system is easy to understand and the key components can be quickly identified. This is especially critical during any maintenance system shutdowns.

At CHT we understand you want your medical gas systems to be compliant, pass inspections, and are safe for your facility. In this article, we discuss the importance of gas riser diagrams and the mapping of your medical gas systems.

The past several weeks highlights navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, the hyper-realization of the vital importance of the medical gas system, and the effects of increased demand on this critical infrastructure. As a result of pushing these systems to, or even beyond their designed limits, additional risk factors have been realized and should be addressed in the weeks and months ahead. Below are some considerations to keep in mind during these unprecedented times.

While some areas and facilities have already experienced a peak in cases and are, hopefully, on a downward trend, other parts of the country are right in the middle of this crisis. And still, other areas have fortunately experienced little impact. And there is always the potential for a surge to reemerge in the future.

Regardless of an individual facility’s experience, now is the time to identify and evaluate potential risks and how to address them moving forward. While doing so, it is essential to remember that assessing these risks should not be based solely on the possibility of an asset failure, but on the overall impact that may occur when an asset does fail.

Glutaraldehyde has been a high-level disinfectant for over 50 years. As a disinfectant, it is used to eliminate harmful microorganisms on surgical instruments and has other uses as a fixative or preservative in other parts of a healthcare facility. However, it can get into the air from its use as a disinfectant and employees and patients can be exposed to the chemical. Prolonged exposure to employees can become a problem.

At CHT we provide solutions to maintain the health of your employees with environmental monitoring to ensure their well-being. We understand it's crucial to keep your employees safe and your healthcare facility compliant. In this article, we discuss the health effects and managing the chemical safety of glutaraldehyde in the workplace.

The Joint Commission have stringent requirements in place to keep your patients, employees and visitors safe. One of those requirements and concerns as a healthcare facility manager is the ventilation in your care areas. HVAC systems are built to keep the indoor air quality (IAQ) safe for patients. Because of the airflow standards, equipment must meet high ventilation rates and filtration requirements.

Richard D. Hermans, PE, HFDP, Director of Training and Advanced Applications for Daikin Applied, cites certain aspects of ventilation have become commonly accepted practice for infection control.

Medical gas systems are a standard feature of most healthcare facilities, and they require special monitoring and maintenance to ensure they are operating properly. Unlike other medical equipment and systems, their use of gas under pressure makes them vulnerable to a unique set of unexpected failures, which may not be readily apparent. This makes medical gas preventative maintenance critical to a problem-free working environment.

At CHT we understand you want your medical gas systems to be compliant and pass inspection, and most of all, increase safety for your patients. We understand it's crucial to keep your medical gas systems running smoothly so you have no unexpected failures, and you have the proper equipment to do your job competently and worry-free.

We are concentrated on making sure your hospital and your patients are getting all they need from your medical gas equipment. We put together a preventative checklist to help prepare you for an upcoming inspection and to alleviate your concerns and frustrations.

Medical gas equipment can be complex and varied in nature. And difficulty in accurately interpreting NFPA codes can add to the complexity. Flexible connectors are a good example.

They can reference the metallic connectors on central supply sources to mitigate machine vibration. Flexible connectors can also refer to non-metallic hoses that interconnect secondary and clinical equipment to wall inlets and outlets. They may be present in headwalls, manufactured assemblies, or simple drops from ceiling inlets and outlets. These types of hoses can be constructed of different materials, but all should be periodically inspected by the hospital staff to ensure they are not kinked or damaged. Of particular concern are hoses in surgical areas, as they can get bent, stepped on, and pinched by equipment.

In this article, we focus on the flexible connectors that are internal to articulating booms and pendants typically found in OR's, ICU's, ED’s and procedure rooms. The booms are designed for the unique needs of these areas and help eliminate the cords and cables which were once on the floor. Thereby making it easier to maneuver around a patient and equipment. They create an orderly working environment, increase efficiency, and contribute to an overall cleaner environment.

Medical gas supply systems in healthcare facilities provide piped gases such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, and medical air to your facility as needed. These are critical gases to maintain your patients' lives.  

These systems are also monitored with alarms that activate when there is a pressure change or other type of issue that requires attention. The alarms warn of a lack of supply, overall system operation and condition of the medical gases being delivered. The master alarms are the most comprehensive of alarm panels, and are often monitored by individuals not properly trained on the panel's function.

This article will examine the three types of alarms in healthcare facilities, master alarm panel location, first response actions, annual inspections, troubleshooting tips, false alarm situations and how to prevent them, and more.

CHT representatives just returned from another exciting year of ASHE’s Annual Conference & Technical Exhibition, with the 56th edition wrapping up last week at the Baltimore Convention Center. As is customary, this year’s conference brought together a wide range of speakers and ideas. And true to this year’s theme, Mapping the Course, the conference highlighted strategies for healthcare engineers to address the changing demands of providing quality healthcare.

Proper medical gas management will keep your healthcare facility safe. Meeting the qualification requirements of NFPA 99 - Healthcare Facilities Code is a continuous process.

The NFPA 99 HealthCare Facilities Code defines a Qualified Person as “A person who, by the possession of a recognized degree, certificate, professional standing, or skill, and who, by knowledge, training, and experience, has demonstrated the ability to perform the work.”  NFPA 99 2018, 3.3.151

As a leader in the control, management, and monitoring of medical gas systems,  we are dedicated to staying on top of the qualifications needed in the maintenance of medical gas. In this article, we discuss NFPA 99 2018 as it pertains specifically to Chapter 5, which covers the performance, maintenance, installation, and testing of medical gas systems.