Medical Gas Compliance Blog

What is Patient Flow?

Patient flow is the moving of patients within your healthcare facility. It involves medical care, resources, decision-making, and internal systems in place. Optimizing patient flow is critical for healthcare facilities for two main reasons, patient safety and quality of care.

It's fair to say that 2020 and the pandemic will go down in the history books. 

And if the pandemic taught us anything,

"It is within our power to create a health system that invites everyone to be part of an affordable, sustainable, accessible, high-quality system that keeps people healthy and improves our communities and society at large.", cites Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer for SSM Health [source] "Transforming an Industry that Treats Illness to Instead Create Health."

As a medical gas systems provider, CHT agrees that we collectively have the power to address patient health and safety and address patient flow in hospitals. Improving your patient flow is a way to increase revenue and patient satisfaction.

COVID-19 has drastically impacted our world and the healthcare industry, whether for prevention, diagnosis, or therapy. It has led to our behavior changes - wearing a mask, hand washing, and safe distancing.

With social distancing requirements in place, the need for virtual conferences to stay in touch with the latest regulations and technology to serve our hospitals and patients became apparent.

This is an especially important time to reach leaders, strengthen relationships, and network since many hospitals and facilities are undergoing major projects and responding to shifts in the health care climate.

Sentinel events occur when a patient is seriously injured (permanently or temporary) or causes death, happening outside the predictable course of the patient’s disease process.

The Joint Commission created the concept of sentinel events years ago to alert the hospital and others in healthcare of problems or actions that cause death or injury to patients. The events are called "sentinel" because they signal the need for immediate investigation and response.

As a leader in the control, management, and monitoring of medical gas systems, we thought we would address sentinel events with examples, statistics, and a 5-step process of what to do when and if a sentinel event occurs in your facility.

As with most healthcare aspects, medical gas systems continue to evolve to provide a safer, more effective patient experience. NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code is no exception, and the 2021 edition has some noteworthy changes and additions with which facility managers should be aware.

This most recent edition was published in October of 2020. While there is no current indication the 2021 edition will be adopted by CMS, some of the updates highlight the importance of qualified individuals managing and maintaining medical gas systems.

As we move into 2021, there continues to be an increased demand for oxygen delivery systems. Oxygen remains a critical resource in any disaster management.  With the COVID-19 pandemic still heavily prevalent, the oxygen delivery infrastructure is nearly collapsing under pressure.

Strategic management of oxygen supplies in this time remains a priority. Hospitals have large supplies of liquid oxygen and a supply of compressed gas oxygen cylinders that allow several days of the reserve, but a large influx of patients from the pandemic is straining these resources.

As a leader in the control, management, and monitoring of medical gas systems, our commitment to the healthcare facility managers' encourages us to stay on top of preventative measures you can take to keep this from happening to your facility's oxygen and medical gas systems.

Patient safety is a critical element of an efficient and effective healthcare facility. 

Every year, the Joint Commission's safety goals are updated to provide the highest standard of care for patients. TJC approves changes to its National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGS) to address the best practices to achieve patient safety.

The solutions, tailored to help hospitals and other healthcare organizations protect their patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. 

At CHT, we understand you want your medical gas systems to be compliant, pass inspections, and are safe for your facility. We provide quick access to compliance documentation when you need it and identify maintenance issues before becoming patient issues.

This article discusses the emerging patient safety issues and what action you can take to address them.

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.

Cutting energy costs and reducing energy consumption are some of the first places healthcare facilities pursue to reduce their environmental impact and enhance sustainability. Healthcare organizations spend over $6.5 billion on energy each year, and that amount is rising to meet patients' needs.

By increasing energy efficiency, hospitals can improve their bottom line, freeing up funds to invest in new technologies and improve patient care.

As healthcare facility managers, you understand that medical gases and vacuum systems provide a safe and cost-effective source of the medical gases you require. Sources that produce the flow of medical gases through the piping networks are essential. This article looks at some of the energy-efficient central supply sources in healthcare facilities.

In the United States, medical devices are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Most medical devices are required to follow specific design control processes and comply with FDA 21 CFR part 820 Quality System Regulations.

As a leader in the control, management, and monitoring of medical gas systems, our commitment to the medical field encourages us to stay on top of design controls in medical devices, product development, and risk management.

Zone valves are an integral component of your medical gas pipeline distribution network. They allow for isolation of specific areas of the system in the event of an emergency, required maintenance, or planned shutdowns related to renovations and modifications.

Incorrect locations, out of date labeling, or potential obstructions could result in disaster if this otherwise static asset is not appropriately managed. It is essential to be mindful of the zone valve requirements and considerations below to ensure  this vital utility system's effective operation.