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Medical oxygen supply - is an extra pair
of eyes the answer?
1st August 2003 — A new system on show at this
years' NHS Estates Conference could take oxygen supply management
and reliability to new heights. The question is 'could this
provide the answer to HTM 2022 compliance?'
The new medical telemetry system, being demonstrated by
Air Products throughout the show, is already in widespread
use throughout Spain, where over twenty such systems are
in operation. In fact in some areas of the country it has
become a mandatory requirement.
Using a modem link, the system connects installations to
specialist oxygen supply experts in a central control room,
who monitor liquid oxygen levels, usage rates and flow,
and schedule deliveries accordingly. The result is an extra
pair of eyes constantly monitoring oxygen supply 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year.
Although daily visual checks, as stipulated by HTM 2022,
would still be required in the UK, the new system could
add a new dimension to safety, alerting the user via an
alarm should attention be needed, as well as optimising
the response in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Apart from safety, the system could also bring a range
of other benefits including accurate scheduling of bulk
oxygen supplies. By monitoring the amount of product and
the flow rate, reordering becomes an automatic process timed
perfectly to ensure that deliveries, and costs, are kept
to a minimum.
The system also delivers a much broader range of information.
Trend data on usage and demand for example is displayed
in graphs, enabling hospitals to identify peaks and troughs
in oxygen use and plan accordingly.
All this data can be accessed by customers through a secure
online link and viewed from most PCs in a user-friendly
Windows format. When advice with a more personal touch is
needed, the Air Products control centre can be accessed
24 hours a day by telephone.
Ian Buckle, UK Medical Marketing Manager said: "Although
this new telemetry system is not yet available in the UK,
we are keen to gather as many views as possible from those
responsible for oxygen supply. We are also in discussion
with NHS Estates and the Department of Health about how
the system could support HTM regulations.
"We are very confident that this system would represent
a major breakthrough. It could take peace of mind to a new
level, and provide a wealth of data that hospitals and medical
institutions can use to monitor and plan future gas supply."
Air Products experts will carry out demonstrations of the
new medical telemetry system using a live internet link
to a hospital in Spain. Visit stand Q299 or for more information
contact 0800 731 8667.
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