The 2012 edition of NFPA 99 has added a new paragraph section for medical gas maintenance programs (Para. 5.1.14.2.2). Schedules for these maintenance programs are to be established by the individuals responsible for risk assessment in the facilities, in conjunction with the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations. Inspection procedures should be in place for each facility to insure that these schedules are being followed to maintain an appropriate level of patient care and to avoid costly equipment failures.

There are some recommendations for inspection and testing operations for specific pieces of medical gas equipment, as well as suggested intervals for these operations to occur. The 2012 edition of NFPA 99 has also addressed qualifications for persons maintaining these types of systems, suggesting three ways in which appropriate qualifications can be demonstrated. These ways include training and certification through the health care facility, credentialing to the requirements of ASSE 6030, and/or credentialing to the requirements of ASSE 6040. While actual “hands on training” is a very important factor in qualifying maintenance personnel, the ASSE standards raise awareness in many areas of safety, documentation, and procedures which could otherwise be overlooked.

EMGS has been conducting classes for compliance with the ASSE standards for several years in a facility designed to insure these issue are addressed. Contact Terri Clayton at terri@emgsi.com for further information on training your maintenance personnel, and obtaining the ASSE 6040 credential.

Effective Immediately EMGS, Inc. offers ASSE 6000 Series training courses through a third party testing organization called National Inspection Testing Certification (NITC). NITC credentials are recognized in every state. NITC recently revised their candidate bulletins.

The most notable changes are the minimum passing scores for an ASSE 6010 Installer, which has increased from a 75% to a 77%, and the minimum passing score for an ASSE 6020 Inspector, which has gone from an 85% to an 80%. Also, the applications used to sign up for exams have been revised.

We have updated our website to reflect these changes, and all of the new candidate bulletins and applications can be found at www.nationalitc.com. Prior to signing up for any classes, it is beneficial to review the candidate bulletins and application procedures. We are always available to assist with your questions or concerns regarding these matters.

NFPA 99 defines the medical gas systems for all healthcare facilities based on a number of factors all related to the safety of the patients who are connected to them. Each medical gas “system” from the source equipment to the outlet/inlet termination point can be placed into one of three categories or “levels”. The least stringent requirements are applicable to Level 3 facilities which are typically (but not necessarily always) dental facilities.

One of the requirements for the oxygen and nitrous oxide piping systems for Level 3 facilities is that the line sizes for each of these gases be different so as to clearly distinguish separation of the piping systems as they are routed throughout the facility. Para. 5.3.10.10.3 of the 2005 edition of NFPA 99 dictates a minimum line size of (NPS 3/8” or ½” OD) for oxygen systems and (NPS ¼” or 3/8” OD) for nitrous oxide systems. The intent of this distinction is to prevent cross connection of these two gases as explained in Para. A.5.3.10.10.3.  Most of these source systems (manifolds) are manufactured as a common enclosure for both gases, with two copper feed lines extending out from the top of the enclosure.  Sometimes these feed lines are the same line size, which can be confusing, especially if these lines are not correctly labeled.

Recently, (March 2009) a terrible accident occurred in Togonoxie, KS when a patient in a dental office was given nitrous oxide gas instead of oxygen, as a practitioner intended.  According to news reports, this mistake was due to the “incorrect connection of the medical gas lines.” The full article on this medical gas mishap can be viewed at: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/apr/22/medical-gas-accident-may-lead-policy-change/

EMGS, Inc. is pleased to announce its’ recent contracts with two international companies to provide medical gas training. Both sessions will take place in 2011 in Central and Latin American countries. Our training material has been translated from English to Spanish to better serve these clients, and we look forward to establishing and building upon this international relationship.

The need for medical gas training is global. The importance of proper installation and inspection services is paramount anywhere in the world. If you enjoy traveling, take into consideration that accidents and illness can happen anytime, anywhere. While a trip to the hospital is not on anyone’s vacation itinerary, if you did end up in a hospital, you would hope that the facility operates under appropriate safety standards. EMGS, Inc. strives to teach safety standards and elevate the importance of the medical gas industry so that we all benefit.

We look forward to further training opportunities, both domestic and international.

Lokring Technology offers a permanent, axially swaged fitting for medical gas applications that is approved by NFPA 99C 2005 (Paragraph 5.1.10.7 (4)).

The leak-free seal is the result of elastic strain preload technology where the axial movement of the LOKRING driver over the body swages the body onto the tube’s surface forming a 360 degree circumferential permanent metal-to-metal seal.

The installation of LOKRING Medical Gas fittings takes minimal time since no brazing and nitrogen purging are required, thus reducing costs and most importantly minimizing patient disruption.

EMGS, Inc.  is the only authorized Lokring distributor in the state of Georgia.  Lokring technology is approved by NFPA 99C and is a great solution for medical gas tie-ins in sensitive locations throughout the hospital, i.e. ICU. Contact EMGS for additional information regarding Lokring fittings and installation training classes.

Click here to see the LOKRING Medical Gas Fitting Brochure