Last week we started the discussion on the role that Oxygen plays in our lives. This discussion went beyond the fact that we need it breathe and live. It went on to describe the use of it in various industries that were perhaps not so well known.
This Week’s Topic
This week we are going to discuss the most obvious and currently most urgent use for Oxygen. Yes, you obviously know what is due to this week’s blog title – medical Oxygen. We are all very aware of the need of medical Oxygen. I am very sure most people have seen some form of news describing the increased need of Oxygen for Covid patients who need assisted breathing.
The Challenge
It is a very difficult subject for people and has put a lot of strain on industries and hospitals to keep up with the unprecedented demand. Additionally, hospitals in rural and difficult to reach areas have been struggling to get Oxygen delivered to them.
In most countries there are very specific standards and guidelines that must be followed when using Oxygen generators and the gas they produce. The machine producing the gas must conform to a specific level of safety & industrial manufacturing standards. In addition the gas that is produced must also conform to national or international standards. This is extremely important in ensuring that the products are safe to use by people.
Guidelines
In some countries there are no specific guidelines as to what Oxygen providers conform to and it is common practice to then use American or European pharmacopeia standards. It is our belief here at PrepAir to conform to the highest industry standards to ensure that regardless of regulation the best quality services and products will be offered to people.
The Purity Level
In most regulations there is a minimum requirement for the purity of the Oxygen gas to be used for in the medical industry. In most cases, this minimum requirement is set at a purity of 93%. Anything below this level and the gas is then not considered medical grade. The general rule of thumb for the required grade of Oxygen is at a purity of 95%.
The Dilemma
With the sudden and sharp increase in demand for medical Oxygen, there have been some concerns raised with regard to the purity grade of Oxygen that would be allowed into some hospitals and the relevance of sticking with current regulations. The problem being that if there isn’t enough ‘medical’ grade Oxygen available, but a source of non-medical Oxygen is available – do you use that instead?
This is a very difficult problem to deal with, trying to decide whether it is morally or practically worth doing. Is it safe to give someone Oxygen from an Industrial plant that wasn’t designed for medical grade gas? What will happen if you do? Are then any alternatives? These are some of the questions that people have faced.
I heard someone say, “If I have a severe case of Covid and I am lying in a hospital bed in region where medical grade Oxygen is scarce. And someone comes to me and says the only Oxygen that they can provide to me is from an industrial generator and not a medical machine. What do I do? Do I take the chance?”
That is a terrible question to be faced with and is a reality for many. The aim in discussing this and what medical gas is used for is also a reminder as to how important it is currently – however obvious the use of it. If you have good health, appreciate it as much as you can. The biggest challenge facing hospitals and medical institutions is not the generating of Oxygen, but rather the logistics of getting Oxygen to all the places that so desperately need it. This is why we believe onsite generation could play a part in helping to alleviate the logistic strain and help play a part where it is needed.
Next week we will discuss the use of Oxygen in the Aquaculture industry and what part it plays there. Thanks for the longer than normal read and keep well.