1. CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS
Without reference, identify principles relating to central gas systems as they pertain to facility and equipment interface with at least 70 percent accuracy.

2. 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

3. 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

4. CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

5. 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

6. CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS Medical air (compressed air)
Primarily used for respiratory therapy in areas like nurseries, emergency rooms, intensive care areas and OR’s

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS Vacuum
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

11. 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

12. CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS Vacuum system
Normally designed to provide 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

13. 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”

14. 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

15. 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

16. CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS
Medical equipment is connected to the gas system through quick coupler mechanisms
Each coupler is color coded
O2 – green
Air – yellow
N2O – blue
Vacuum – white

17. 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 proportions
One cylinder gasket must be used
Multiple gaskets can defeat the PISS

18. CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS

19. 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

20. 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

21. CENTRAL GAS SYSTEMS Medical Gas Alarms Master alarm Area 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

22. 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