Hazards of Hospital Bulk Oxygen Delivery Systems*

Abstract

Numerous problems can occur with liquid oxygen delivery systems, in part because of the complexities of such systems. These systems must comply with guidelines of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. During the 1978-79 year, 18 major problems with the liquid oxygen delivery system occurred at the authors' hospital. Five times, false alarms resulted from calibration drift in line pressure sensors. Thrice, excessive depletion of the reserve supply occurred because of pressure imbalance between the main and reserve systems. Twice, excessive depletion of the reserve supply occurred owing to failure of the vacuum seal on the reserve supply vessel. Eight other potentially serious mishaps also were reported. These problems, which are inherent in liquid oxygen delivery systems, are for the most part preventable.

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