Medical Oxygen Suppliers Respond to Surging Demand from COVID-19 Hospitalizations

BY RICH GOTTWALD, CGA PRESIDENT & CEO

Richard Gottwald is President and CEO of the Compressed Gas Association (CGA). He can be reached at 703-7882748 or rgottwald@ cganet.com. A s COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations rise in hotspots such as Florida, member companies of the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) are taking extraordinary measures to respond to surging demand for medical oxygen in those communities. Our members are committed to deploying all available resources to respond to the increased demand for medical oxygen and working collaboratively with health care providers, as we fight this pandemic together. Health care remains a top priority for our industry.

Medical oxygen plays a crucial role in treating those who are seriously ill with COVID-19, and the compressed gas industry continues to work diligently to safely and reliably supply health care systems in the U.S. and Canada with this life-saving gas.

The recent spikes in COVID-19 related hospitalizations in Florida and other hotspots have made it necessary to prioritize oxygen for medical use over most non-medical applications, in order to respond to the growing needs of COVID patients. Medical oxygen prioritization will remain in place as long as necessary to meet this extreme demand.

There are several aspects to medical oxygen supply that are being impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. These include: hospital supply system capacities; the availability of equipment needed to store and transport medical oxygen, as well as the availability of qualified drivers; and medical oxygen production and distribution capacities.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CGA member companies have responded to the demand for medical oxygen through a range of measures including sourcing additional medical gas cylinders, converting cylinders and containers to medical oxygen use, and where possible, increasing production and distribution capacity.

CGA member companies will continue to monitor and respond to this rapidly changing situation.

Related resources provided by the Compressed Gas Association include: • Medical Oxygen Safety & Supply Resource

Center for Health Care Facilities

HEALTH CARE FACILITY OXYGEN FIRE SAFETY

Oxygen is widely used to treat symptoms of COVID-19. Some therapies use large quantities of oxygen or it is used in areas of health care facilities not designed for oxygen use. These uses can create oxygen-enriched atmospheres containing greater than 23.5% oxygen. Although oxygen itself does not burn, oxygen-enriched atmospheres can enhance combustion of items like clothing and bed linens. Even fire-resistant materials that normally do not burn in air, such as drapes and gowns, can burn in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. To avoid incidents involving oxygen it is important to understand the associated risks.

HERE ARE CRITICAL STEPS THAT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES CAN TAKE TO REDUCE THE RISK OF MEDICAL OXYGEN FIRES:

PROVIDE OXYGEN SAFETY TRAINING

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PERSONNEL USING OXYGEN AND OXYGEN- ENRICHED GASES SHALL BE ADEQUATELY TRAINED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE IN OXYGEN SAFETY.

PERSONNEL USING OXYGEN EQUIPMENT SHALL BE ADEQUATELY TRAINED IN ITS OPERATION.

REMOVE POTENTIAL IGNITION SOURCES

IN OXYGEN-ENRICHED ATMOSPHERES, MATERIALS CAN BE EASILY IGNITED BY IGNITION SOURCES SUCH AS FRICTION, OPEN FLAMES, HEATED SURGICAL EQUIPMENT, OR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.

DO NOT ALLOW SMOKING, FLAMES, SPARKS, OR OTHER SOURCES OF IGNITION IN THE VICINITY OF OXYGEN USE. INFORM PATIENTS OF THE HAZARDS AND “DO’S AND DON’TS” OF OXYGEN USE.

USE OXYGEN-SAFE EQUIPMENT

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USE ONLY EQUIPMENT SUITABLE FOR MEDICAL OXYGEN USE.

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KEEP HOSES, CANNULAS, AND MASKS IN GOOD CONDITION.

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ENSURE THAT CONNECTIONS TO TUBING, REGULATORS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT ARE TIGHT TO PREVENT LEAKAGE.

CHECK EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO USE FOR PROPER FUNCTION. ANY CONTAMINATED, BROKEN, MALFUNCTIONING, OR LEAKING EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE REPLACED OR SENT FOR REPAIR OR CLEANING.

DO NOT USE OIL AND GREASE WITH OXYGEN EQUIPMENT

FREE SAFETY RESOURCE FOR YOUR TEAM

DOWNLOAD THIS POSTER AND OTHER FREE SAFETY RESOURCES

WWW.CGANET.COM CGA M-24

Standard for Mitigating Oxygen Hazards in the Health Care Environment

https://bit.ly/3blW3Ak

BODY OILS, LIP BALMS, HAND LOTIONS, FACE CREAMS, HAIR PRODUCTS, SPRAYS, AND OTHER ITEMS CONTAINING OIL AND GREASE CAN EASILY BURN.

KEEP HANDS FREE OF OIL AND GREASE WHEN HANDLING OXYGEN EQUIPMENT. KEEP OIL AND GREASE AWAY FROM AREA WHERE OXYGEN IS IN USE.

CGA P-45

Fire Hazards of Oxygen and Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres

https://bit.ly/2OQlHFW CGA M-26

Guideline for Mitigating Oxygen Fires in Personal Use

CGA TM-8

eLearning: Oxygen Safety

https://bit.ly/3pytrsE https://bit.ly/3s59qvI

CGA is a leading authority on technical and safety information for the industrial, medical, and food gases industry in North America and around the world.

SUPPLIER INFORMATION

Download CGA safety posters at www.cganet.com/resources/safety-posters/

• Home Oxygen Safety Resource

Center • CGA COVID-19 Industry Toolkit

Founded in 1913, the Compressed Gas Association is dedicated to the development and promotion of safety standards and safe practices in the industrial, medical, and food gases industry. CGA represents more than 130 member companies including manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and transporters of gases, cryogenic liquids, and related products and services. Through a committee system, CGA develops technical specifications, safety standards, and training and educational materials, and works with government agencies to formulate and promote compliance with responsible regulations and standards. The Association also works with other industrial gas associations around the world to harmonize standards to advance safety in the industrial gas industry.

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