Without reference, identify principles relating to central gas systems as they pertain to facility and equipment interface with at

least 70 percent accuracy.

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Primary objective of suppliers of medical gas distribution systems is to provide Creative technical service Quality products that keep pace with changing

needs Central Gas Systems

Supply medical gases in life support situations It is essential that the reliability and integrity of

the system be the responsibility of all professions • Manufacturing, Design, Installation, Testing and the

Operation

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Medical Gas Systems The main features of medical gas systems are the

types of gases and the means of their delivery Types of medical gases • Oxygen

Oxygen is stored as a compressed gas at room temperature or refrigerated as a liquid

Primarily used for respiratory therapy and anesthesia Constant supply and immediate availability through out

medical facility is essential Small hospitals often store oxygen in banks of cylinders

connected by a manifold to provide a “central gas supply” Should be designed to provide 60 psig at the outlets Most anesthesia machines accommodate one or two cylinders

to be used in emergencies

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Nitrous oxide Primarily used for OR area Is almost always stored by hospitals in large high-

pressure cylinders connected by a manifold Should be designed to provide 60 psig at the outlets Bulk liquid storage of nitrous oxide is economical

only in large institutions Most anesthesia machines accommodate one or two

cylinders to be used in emergencies

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Medical air (compressed air) Primarily used for respiratory therapy in areas like

nurseries, emergency rooms, intensive care areas and OR’s

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

The use of air is becoming more frequent in anesthesiology due to the hazards of high concentrations of oxygen

Dehumidified but non sterile air is provided to the hospital pipeline by compression pumps• Compression pumps should be designed to provide

60 psig at the outlets • Must be free from oil and moisture • The compressor will not add contaminants in the

form of particulate matter, odor or other gases

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

The medical air compressors intake will be • Located outdoors • Above roof level • A minimum distance of 10 feet from any door,

window, exhaust, other intake, or opening in the building

• A minimum distance of 20 feet above the ground The intake will be turned down and screened or

otherwise be protected against the entry of vermin or water

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Compressor alternation Compressors will automatically alternate in operation

to allow division of operating time If automatic alternation is not provided, the facility

will arrange a proper schedule for manual alternation A backup medical compressor will be available to

automatically activate if the unit in operation is: Incapable of adequately maintaining pressure Inoperative

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Compressors will be alarmed appropriately for Conditions that affect air quality Failure

Vacuum Not a medical gas, but an essential part of

medical gas system Widely used throughout medical facilities in

Lab, patient treatment areas, surgical recovery and intensive care areas

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Uses

To remove fluid from incisions and assist in vital post-operative drainage

In active scavenging systems Used to remove excess waste gases from the patient

circuit of anesthesia units Routes gases out of the operating room and towards a

safe area outside of medical facility

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Vacuum system • Normally designed to provide 15 - 20 in

Hg of negative pressure at the furthest point from central vacuum • Types of systems

Wet systems will remove all waste through the service inlet

Dry systems will only remove air-gas through the service inlet

• Types of waste removed Liquid, Air-gas and/or Solids

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Vacuum pumps

Two or more pumps will be installed that serve the system alternately or simultaneously on demand

Each pump will be large enough to serve peak demand with the other pump inoperative

Station inlets for vacuums will be legibly labeled “Suction” or “Vacuum”

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Common Medical Gases Labels Air – air Carbon dioxide – CO2 Carbon monoxide – CO Helium – He Hydrogen – H2 Nitrogen – N2 Nitrous oxide – N2O Oxygen – O2

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Delivery of Medical Gases Gases are delivered from their central supply

source to the operating room through a piping network.

Usually constructed of seamless copper tubing Internal contamination of the pipelines with

dust, grease, or water must be avoided. The delivery system terminates in the

operating room as • Hose drops • Gas columns • Elaborate articulating arms

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Medical equipment is connected to the gas system through quick coupler mechanisms Each coupler is color coded

O2 – greenAir – yellowN2O – blueVacuum – white

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Designed to fit a specific gas PISS – pin index safety systems

This system is used with small gas cylinders Accomplished by 2 metal pins on the yoke that

correspond to two holes in the cylinder head There are six pin positions, each of which are specific to

a particular gas Some gas mixtures have 2 pin positions assigned to

differentiate different gas proportionsOne cylinder gasket must be used Multiple gaskets can defeat the PISS

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

DISS – diameter indexing safety system This system is used with central pipeline hoses and

large gas cylinders Accomplished by using various diameter male to

female connectors specific to each gas

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Factors in Supplying Medical Gases Location Number of outlets required Pipeline routing and size of pipes Medical gas supply source Intermediate pipeline controls Gas service outlets Critical care area and equipment System specifications

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Medical Gas Alarms Master alarm • Monitors the operation and condition of the source of

supply, the reserves and the pressure of the main lines of all medical gas piping systems

• The master alarm system consists of two or more alarm panels located in two separate locations

Area alarm • Provided for each medical gas piping system

supplying anesthetizing locations and other vital life support and critical care areas

• Usually located at the nurse’s station

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

Standards Purpose • Safety • Low infection rate • Low post operative care • Assurance of the functionality of the system • Confidence to medical workers • Economical • Avoid medical legal complications

CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS